Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) yesterday said there has been a noticeable increase in vehicle thefts in and around Whitby.
“Officers in Central West Division have seen a spike in vehicle thefts. While there is no guaranteed prevention, residents can take precautions,” said a DRPS tweet.
The police recommended eight ways to reduce the chances of your vehicle being stolen. These include:
- Always ensure your vehicle is locked and take the keys with you;
- 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 laser key fob inside a radio frequency shielding pouch like Faraday bag, to block cell signals;
- Never place or hang or leave keys directly inside the front door or near windows; and
- Consider placing keys on a 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.