As the busy holiday season approaches, the Vancouver Police are asking for help in reducing theft-from-autos.

Detectives Phil Ens and Bryan McKeddie of the VPD’s Auto Crime Enforcement Unit have teamed up with the Safer Parking Initiative and Canadian Direct Insurance to share their annual crime prevention message for Christmas shoppers.

As people go about their shopping this holiday season, criminals are looking for an opportunity. Help prevent and reduce theft by not making your vehicle a target.

  • lock items in your trunk
  • do not leave any possessions visible in your car
  • try not to make multiple trips to your car to drop off your shopping
  • disable your trunk latch so your trunk cannot be opened from inside the car
  • report suspicious people to police

THEFT-FROM-AUTO STATS

Year-to-Date Totals

January 1 to November 29, 2012 – 7498
January 1 to November 30, 2011 – 6892
January 1 to November 30, 2010 – 8037

Year-End Totals

2011 –   7,508
2010 –   8,705
2009 – 10,171
2008 – 11,525
2007 – 12,479
2006 – 15,125
2005 – 16,332
2004 – 18,459
2003 – 17,695
2002 – 19,185