A crime spree in rural south Ottawa has residents on edge. Police have been called to a break-in almost every day for the past month, and victims say they fear they will be targeted again.

It was the open hutch that first startled Christine Drew when she came back from grocery shopping last Tuesday. The contents were spilled, things were gone.

"I noticed my bedroom was completely ransacked, called 9-1-1 and ran outside," Drew recalled.

Around 25 break-ins in a month

Drew was the latest victim in a string of break-ins in rural south Ottawa. She lives in Greely, but thieves have targeted houses daily in Osgoode, Metcalfe and Manotick.

"Everything was on our bed; the bed was a mess," Drew said. "It appeared they had packaged everything from here. I don't care about the things, but I feel scared."

In the last month, Ottawa police say there have been about 25 break-ins in rural south Ottawa. In most cases, thieves targeted jewellery and coins, gaining access through back doors and first-floor windows.

Individual or small group responsible: police

All the break-ins have happened during the day, usually between noon and 3 p.m. Police believe an individual or small group is responsible, hitting homeowners in isolated areas.

"That allows the suspect, once he gains entry, to spend more time inside the residence than what you'd see in an urban setting," said Sgt. Mike Noonan of the Ottawa police.

In response to an overall increase in break-ins, Ottawa police set up a specialized break-and-enter team in April to deal exclusively with this crime.

Watch for suspicious behaviour

They believe it's having an impact on catching the crooks -- but they still need the public's help, especially in rural areas.

"Oftentimes we'll hear after, 'I did notice this guy going up laneways, thought they were selling something,' " Noonan said. "If it doesn't look right to you, then call."

Drew said she is worried thieves will strike again, though the day after the break-in, she installed this alarm system.

Now, she's on the look-out for anything suspicious, and advises her neighbours to do the same.

"If people know, they can watch and look out for each other," she said.