File image courtesy DRPS

Durham Police reports 48% rise in vehicle thefts till May

Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) yesterday reported a marked increase (48 per cent) in vehicle thefts across Durham Region.

From January to May last year (2021) there were 215 vehicles stolen in the region.

“This year, we have already received reports of 318 thefts of vehicles over the same time period,” said a DRPS statement.

This mirrors a trend seen across the Greater Toronto Area, it said.

Apart from vehicle thefts, the GTA has seen a rash of carjackings in recent weeks, including two attempted ones in Pickering (see below).

DRPS said while there is no guaranteed prevention against vehicle theft, residents can take the following precautions:

  • Always park in a well-lit area and or locked garage;
  • Never leave an unattended vehicle running with keys inside;
  • Consider anti-theft devices such as steering wheel lock or collar;
  • Never hide a spare key inside your vehicle or outside your home;
  • When not in use, place your key fob inside a radio frequency shielding pouch (Faraday Bag) to block cell signals;
  • Never place or hang or leave keys directly inside the front door or near windows;
  • Consider placing keys on your bedside table, as long as it’s not near a window. The key fob can also be activated as an alert alarm, if you hear or see suspicious activity outside your home at night.

Related Story

After Scarborough, attempted carjackings in Pickering

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