‘Suspicious glue’ found at New Westminster homes after use in Vancouver break-ins, police say

"Suspicious glue" is seen in a door frame in an image shared by the New Westminster Police Department on March 6, 2026.

Days after Vancouver police highlighted the use of hot glue to case apartments for burglaries, residents of neighbouring New Westminster have also reported “suspicious glue” to law enforcement.

The New Westminster Police Department said the similarities point to an emerging “crime trend” in break-and-enters, and thanked the Vancouver Police Department for bringing it to the public’s attention this week.

“Residents here in New Westminster read that information, talked with their neighbours, and then checked their own building,” Sgt. Andrew Leaver said in a statement Friday.

Authorities said the technique involves applying a string of glue between a door and door frame, which will then break as soon as someone enters or exits the home.

If the property is unoccupied, the glue remains intact—potentially making it a target for thieves.

Vancouver police believe the glue was used to burglarize 10 units across six apartment buildings between August and December 2025, and that the technique has also been reported in other jurisdictions in Ontario and Alberta.

New Westminster police said the “suspicious glue” reported this week was found in nine doorways at a single multi-unit family building on 11^th Street.

Officers have since visited the property and are reviewing the circumstances, authorities said.

Police suggested anyone concerned about a break-and-enter watch for unusual markings on their door, including tape, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.