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ALERT | Increase In Thefts From Vehicles

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Date Published: 09 Apr 2020, Last Updated: 15 May 2025

Victoria, BC – Officers are reminding the public to secure their vehicles after an increase in thefts from vehicles over the first week of April.There were 48 thefts from vehicles in Victoria and Esquimalt from April 1st – 7th. This is an increase of 29% compared to the last week of March, 2020. In that March time period, there were 34 thefts from vehicles.April is Auto Crime Prevention month. This campaign, launched by the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT) and ICBC, brings awareness on how to reduce thefts from vehicles. The increase in thefts from vehicles over the first week of April serves as a reminder that vehicle owners can help by being mindful of their vehicle security and removing their belongings.Thefts from vehicles are often crimes of opportunity that tend to happen during later hours. Most thefts from vehicles occur after dark. A “9:00 p.m. ritual” of removing valuables from your vehicle after 9:00 p.m. can help to prevent theft from your vehicle.There are additional steps you can take to protect your vehicle from being targeted, including:

  • Always lock your vehicle

  • Park in high traffic, well-lit areas

  • Remove all valuables and personal items

  • Never leave duplicate sets of keys in your vehicle

  • Leave nothing in plain sight

For more information on how to protect your vehicle from theft visit: https://www.icbc.com/road-safety/prevent-autocrime/Pages/default.aspx

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