Residents of Mississauga and Brampton are being called upon by Peel Regional Police to join the effort against car theft, a crime that has seen a significant surge in the region over recent years, surpassing other areas in Canada.
Peel Regional Police are intensifying their efforts to combat the alarming rise in auto thefts, particularly emphasizing the importance of securing vehicles, especially during late-night hours when parked at home. Social media posts from the police department underscore the need for heightened vigilance, particularly for owners of luxury SUVs, cars, and pickup trucks, which have become prime targets for thieves.
The police department’s message points out specific vehicle models such as Range Rovers, Ford pickup trucks, and Honda CRVs as the most recent targets of auto thefts in the area. They emphasize that many of these thefts are preventable, providing a list of precautions residents can take to safeguard their vehicles, including parking in garages, using locking devices, installing security cameras, and keeping keys away from the vehicle.
Recent statistics released by Peel police reveal alarming figures, with 1,048 vehicles reported stolen in Mississauga and 939 in Brampton between January 1 and March 30 of this year, averaging approximately 21 thefts per day.
Efforts to address this issue have seen collaboration between law enforcement agencies, the automobile industry, and the federal government. Summits and conferences such as the annual Peel police Auto Theft Summit and the upcoming Vehicle Crimes Conference aim to tackle auto theft comprehensively, with discussions centered on strategies to combat this pervasive crime at both local and international levels.
The forthcoming 51st annual Vehicle Crimes Conference, in partnership with the U.S.-based Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, will convene stakeholders to exchange insights and develop effective measures to combat auto theft not only in Peel and the Greater Toronto Area but also across North America.