A new report has found that car theft trends have dropped 19 percent in Canada in the first half of this year, compared to the same period of time in 2024.
But the authors of the report say that surveillance is still needed to maintain low numbers.
It is an “optimistic tendency” that is seen in the provinces throughout the country, says the report by Équité Association, an organization that works to stop the crime on behalf of the Canadian property industry of property and victims, victims,
The largest drops were seen in Ontario with 25.9 percent and Quebec with 22 percent, the report said.
These provinces experienced the highest rate of theft from 2021 to 2023, when Iquité said that Canada faced a “national crisis” in car theft.
“This encouraging trend to reduce car theft in the most affected provinces demonstrates the success of collective investments, policies and awareness campaigns,” says the report.
While the fall in car theft is encouraging, Bryan Gast, vice president of research services of the Equité Association, said it is still important that vehicle owners remain alert and that different levels of government continue collaborations against the theft of cars.
“This is not a crime without victims. It is not just a real estate crime. The income of these stolen vehicles is organized financing crimes and is affecting the communities in which we live,” he said.
The report also found that the national recovery rate for stolen vehicles increased to 56 percent in the first half of this year, compared to 53 percent for the same period of time in 2024.
Gast says that cars theft in Canada began to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic when a supply chain problem with cars gave organized crimes the opportunity to earn money.
Most of the cars that are stolen are personal passenger vehicles, such as trucks, sedans and SUV, he says.
He accredits the fall in theft and the increase in recoveries to collaboration at different levels of government and with agencies in other provinces.
This work included the creation of the Ontario car theft team to identify critical crime points, the provincial transport ministries that work to close gaps in vehicle registration processes and more than $ 200 million in federal funds, the report said.
“I’ve never seen this collaboration, even in my 30 years of surveillance, work together. This is very large -scale [with] Multiple police services, “said Gast.” Phenomenal results and I think it’s really showing. “
He also said that there has been a greater emphasis on taking energetic measures against international organized crime related to car theft in Canada.
The information about any car that is stolen in Canada is sent to the Information Center of the Canada Police, which then shares that information with Interpol, Gast said.
“What used to go under the radar once it comes out international, now shows that it is stolen. And it affects the supply and demand of the criminal,” he said.
According to a new report by Équité, more need to help combat car theft in Canada. The report also describes which cars are most likely to be stolen. CBC Britnei Bill has more.
The data show falls in automatic theft through the GTA
Stephanie Sayer with Toronto police services says that the city has seen a 34 percent drop in cases of car theft so far this year, compared to the same period in 2024.
“That is the result of sustained and focused efforts both within our service and in collaboration with our police members throughout the GTA,” he said.
A press release from the York Regional Police said that as of June 25, they have also seen a 37 percent decrease in car theft so far this year compared to the same period last year.
Gast says it is important that officials and car owners know the new technologies that criminals could use to steal a car.
It recommends that people with cars always report suspicious activities, are in a garage space if possible and always keep the windows and locked doors.
Drivers can also use a steering wheel lock, pedal block, a tracking device or an accessories market immobilizer to protect from rescheduling attacks, Gast said.
“He doesn’t have to do them all. He doesn’t have to build his vehicle in Fort Knox. But if he could make some layers, just to add more time for the criminal to steal his vehicle,” he said.
