Auto Crime Statistics & Prevention

As people return to the workplace, post-secondary students resume in-person learning, and more things open up, parking lots are once again full of vehicles that are left unattended for hours at a time. During Auto Crime Enforcement Month, the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT), Government of BC, and ICBC, are reminding people to Be Car Smart when it comes to their vehicles.

In British Columbia, a vehicle is broken into every twelve minutes and a vehicle is stolen every sixty- three minutes. Our theme this year encourages vehicle owners to Be Car Smart by taking the right steps in securing your vehicle and making sure it isn’t a target for auto crime.

Did you:

• Lock your vehicle?
• Remove or hide all valuables and belongings?
• Ensure keys are with you and not left in vehicle?
• Park in a well-lit, high traffic area?
• Use an immobilizer?
• Remove any garage door openers?

“This year we are encouraging owners to ‘Be Car Smart’ by taking the extra steps and necessary precautions to make sure their vehicles are locked, secured and unattractive targets for auto crime offenders,” states Inspector Rob Vermeulen, Officer in Charge of IMPACT.

“Anyone who has been a victim of auto crime knows how upsetting and very inconvenient it is. When you park, take a few simple precautions to deter thieves: lock your vehicle, keep your keys with you at all times, remove valuables and park in well-lit areas whenever possible,” states Lindsay Matthews, ICBC’s Vice-President Customer Experience & Public Affairs “Taking action to prevent auto crime makes our communities and roads safer for everyone.”

“Vehicle thefts and break-ins are often crimes of opportunity.  While IMPACT works hard to take criminals off our streets, we all need to ‘Be Car Smart’ and follow the tips from IMPACT to safeguard our vehicles and deter thieves from targeting our cars,” says Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.