Équité reports that auto theft rates are down across the country, with 57,000 private passenger vehicles stolen in Canada last year as compared to 70,000 in 2023. Quebec has seen the most improvement, with theft rates for private passenger vehicles dropping from 15,000 in 2023 to 10,000 in 2024.
Ontario was close behind with its improvements, with auto theft rates dropping from 30,000 in 2023 to 25,000 in 2024. The provinces of B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba also saw improvements, with a combined 13% drop in thefts last year. Atlantic Canada did not see the same improvements, with 2,000 vehicles stolen in both 2023 and 2024. This data does not include theft rates for commercial vehicles.
Équité credits these improvements to the work that is occurring “behind the scenes” to combat the practice of re-vining and the spread of fake VINs. Équité declined to share the details of this work publicaly in order to make it harder for criminals to evade law enforcement agencies.
Vice President of Investigative Services at Équité, Bryan Gast, calls on the Federal Government to move quickly on its promises to update anti-theft regulations. The UCDA agrees with this call to action and hopes to see more collaboration and information sharing between government agencies and industry partners in the year ahead.
The UCDA continues to work with law enforcement agencies and industry partners, such as the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers, to tackle the issue of auto theft. The UCDA continues to sponsor rewards of up to $300 for any tips that lead to the successful recovery of vehicles stolen from dealerships in Ontario. Individuals with information can anonymously call toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or visit: https://tinyurl.com/3znru4za
The UCDA will also be attending the Central Canadian AutoTheft Association’s (CCATA) Annual Seminar, held in Saskatchewan, in June this year. The seminar will explore topics such as what auto manufacturers are doing to help prevent auto theft and provide insight into how law enforcement agencies collaborate in order to tackle auto theft.
This Just In
On March 5th, York Regional Police announced a 31% reduction in auto theft in 2024!
York Regional Police (YRP) is pleased to announce a remarkable 31% decline in auto thefts in 2024. This significant achievement was reached through a combination of investigative efforts of the Auto Cargo Theft Unit (ATCU), data-driven campaigns such as Autoguard 2.0 and strong partnerships with law enforcement agencies.
Throughout 2024, the ATCU has remained committed to curbing auto theft, particularly those occurring in residential driveways. Their unwavering efforts led to the recovery of more than 245 stolen vehicles and the successful disruption of criminal operations responsible for high-volume vehicle thefts across York Region and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Two of their major investigative projects, Project Boa and Project Viper, played a pivotal role in this success. Through these initiatives, the ATCU, in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Equité Association, dismantled sophisticated international criminal networks targeting high-demand vehicles like the Toyota Tundra, Lexus RX series, and Toyota Highlander.
Thieves employed advanced methods to steal these vehicles, including reprogramming ignition computers to create new keys. The stolen vehicles were then shipped overseas, with shipments routed through the Port of Montreal, heading to buyers in regions such as the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
Project Viper and Project Boa resulted in a combined recovery of over 140 stolen vehicles and the laying of 228 criminal charges. In the course of these operations, officers executed several search warrants that revealed additional criminal activity, including the seizure of four firearms, illegal drugs, and Canadian currency.
Operation Auto Guard 2.0 – which ran from September to November, 2024 – focused on disrupting organized crime groups who steal vehicles with the intention of shipping them offshore. Building on the success of the initial operation, it once again incorporated a multi-pronged approach that included enforcement, active community engagement and proven crime prevention strategies. It led to the recovery of 15 vehicles worth approximately $487,000, with 17 people facing 127 charges.