Tips to Prevent Auto Theft
Lock Your Vehicle Doors. Take Your Keys.
It may seem easier to leave your vehicle unlocked as you run into the store or to leave your keys in the ignition as you warm it up during the winter. But you are creating a crime of opportunity for criminals. 40% of all stolen vehicles have the keys in them, or the keys are accessible.
Initiatives like the Lock It or Lose It awareness program help citizens take action to make their vehicles less appealing and accessible to criminals.
This is more important than ever, as Alberta had an 18% increase in vehicle thefts from 2021 to 2022, according to the Vehicle Theft Trend Report. By August, RCMP had responded to around 4,500 reports of thefts from vehicles and around 5,000 stolen vehicles in 2023.
Alberta Auto Theft Facts
21%
Alberta accounts for 21% of all motor vehicle thefts in Canada
18.3%
Increase in vehicle thefts from 2021 to 2022 in Alberta
80%
Of stolen vehicles in Alberta are recovered
Pickup trucks are a hot item for criminals; this is demonstrated by the fact that they dominate the top 10 list in Alberta for vehicles stolen. It is also assumed that most stolen vehicles are used to commit other crimes, as 80% of stolen vehicles in Alberta are recovered.
How can you keep your property safe from auto thefts? Make sure you:
- Do not leave your keys in the vehicle or accessible
- Ensure your doors are always locked
- Park in well-lit areas or a garage
- Never leave money, valuables or packages in plain sight. Put them in your trunk or remove them from your vehicle
- Roll up your windows
- Don’t leave personal information such as vehicle registration and proof of insurance in the glove box
- Don’t leave your car running while unattended
- If you often park in the parking lot, be sure to park in a different spot each time
- Using anti-theft devices
- Steering wheel locks and immobilizers
- Car alarms and GPS tracking systems
PO Box 4520, Edmonton, AB T6E 4T7