MISSISSAUGA — Break-and-enters remain a major concern in Mississauga and Brampton, with Peel Regional Police reporting 2,301 incidents so far this year — a figure that, while lower than last year, still reflects a troubling pattern of persistent property crime across the region.
From Jan. 1 to Dec. 7, police recorded 1,216 break-ins in Mississauga and 1,080 in Brampton. Another four cases fell under Peel’s jurisdiction outside the two cities, including one in Caledon and three in Toronto. The monthly data paints a year of repeated surges, dips and spikes:
January began with 193 incidents across the region, followed by a slight decline to 172 in February. But the calm was short-lived — March saw break-ins jump to 251, one of the year’s sharpest increases. April brought temporary relief with 195 cases before activity climbed again to 228 in May.
June marked one of the quieter periods of 2025 with 173 break-ins, but numbers rose again through the summer. July saw 213 reports, and August peaked at 234 incidents — the highest monthly total until that point. After a slight drop to 222 in September, October delivered the year’s most alarming spike: 258 break-ins in a single month.
November and the first week of December recorded 162 incidents combined, though police caution that totals may rise before year-end.
So far, 344 cases have been solved by investigators, while another 1,205 remain active. A total of 752 have been deemed unsolved.
The data also reveals where criminals are striking most frequently. This year’s targets included 901 houses, 113 apartments, 118 residential garages or sheds, 123 stores, 116 restaurants, 11 pharmacies, 47 construction sites, 26 schools, nine gas stations, 59 offices, three factories, and dozens of other commercial and residential spaces. A further 585 incidents involved businesses that police say could not be fully identified.
Several major corridors emerged as hotspots for break-and-enters: Queen Street (90 occurrences), Dundas Street (66), Mavis Road (39), Hurontario Street (31), Tobram Road (26), Main Street (27) and Kennedy Road (24).
Despite the high totals, break-and-enters have actually decreased by about 12 per cent from last year’s 2,622 incidents — a decline that police say is welcome but still overshadowed by the persistent risks posed to residents and businesses.
Some of the year’s most serious cases linked to break-ins resulted in dozens of charges, large-scale police operations, violent encounters and, in one tragedy, a homicide during a Mississauga home invasion.
Peel police warn that certain properties remain especially vulnerable, including corner lots, homes backing onto parks or open spaces, and residences that appear unmaintained or unoccupied. “Residential break-ins are typically crimes of opportunity,” police said, urging residents to secure windows and doors, keep yards visible and well-maintained, and stay connected with neighbours.
Officers also recommend adding secondary locks to windows and sliding doors and ensuring garage and screen doors remain locked even while at home.
As Peel Region continues to grow, police say they expect community vigilance to play a crucial role in keeping break-and-enter numbers down in the year ahead.