NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH POLICE SERVICE
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The Guelph Police Service is urging residents to take steps to protect themselves against auto theft.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada reports across the country, a motor vehicle is stolen every six minutes. This represents more than 87,000 stolen vehicles each year.
“Guelph is not immune,” said Sgt. Kendall Brown of the newly formed B.E.A.T. (Break and Enter Auto Theft) Team. “During 2021, the Guelph Police Service investigated almost 200 motor vehicle thefts, or an average of one stolen vehicle every 1.8 days.”
Nationally, the Honda CR-V, Lexus RX series, Ford F-150 and Toyota Highlander topped the list of the most stolen vehicles in Canada. But auto theft is often a crime of opportunity and no make or model of vehicle is safe from would-be thieves.
Auto thefts are not victimless crimes or simply property crimes. Auto theft itself costs Canadians millions of dollars every year in policing, court, legal and out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and increased premiums. And stolen vehicles are often used in other crimes including break and enters and robberies.
The Insurance Bureau suggests these tips to prevent yourself from becoming a victim:
- Don't leave a keyless entry fob in a vehicle or unprotected at the front entrance of your home. Thieves can use wireless transmitters to intercept the signal, giving them access to the vehicle. Consider storing fobs in a protective box or bag that blocks the signal.
- Install an immobilizing device which prevents thieves from bypassing the ignition and hot-wiring a vehicle. This can include devices that require wireless ignition authentication or starter, ignition and fuel pump disablers.
- Install a tracking device that emits a signal to police or a monitoring station if a vehicle is stolen.
- Don't make your vehicle an easy target:
- Never leave a vehicle running when unattended.
- Lock the doors and close all windows when parked.
- Make sure to park in well-lit areas or in the garage.
- Use a visible or audible device that shows thieves a vehicle is protected.
- Consider using a deterrent like a steering wheel or brake pedal lock.
- Don't leave personal information, like insurance and ownership documents, in the glove box when parked.
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