April is auto crime enforcement month and Richmond RCMP is reminding the public to protect their valuables and secure their vehicles to fight theft.
As part of a province-wide initiative, RCMP is increasing its community engagement and patrols this month to focus on reducing theft from vehicles and the theft of vehicles.
In January, 16 auto thefts were reported to Richmond RCMP, a 30-per-cent decrease compared to last year, according to a City of Richmond community safety report.
A total of 71 thefts from vehicles were also reported in January. While this number is a 13-per-cent decrease compared to December, it is only a one-per-cent decrease from January 2024.
However, Richmond RCMP still sees common items such as tools, wallets and sunglasses stolen from vehicles.
Police are hoping to bring these numbers down even more this year.
Richmond RCMP partners with ICBC in the Lock Out Auto Crime program, where community volunteers inspect parked vehicles and leave educational notes telling owners how to reduce their risk of theft.
The city also takes part in the Bait Car Program, which is managed by the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team.
Vehicles that are part of the initiative are monitored in real-time. If stolen, police can remotely track and disable the car engine quickly to make an arrest.
7 Tips to protect your vehicle
- Always remove your keys and lock your doors.
- Don’t leave valuables in plain sight—even small items may attract thieves.
- Never leave garage openers or spare keys in the car—these can be used by thieves to gain access to your home.
- Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas.
- Consider using a smart tag or similar tracking device to help locate your vehicle if it’s stolen.
- Older vehicles should use extra protection such as a steering wheel lock or immobilizer.
- Never leave cars running alone during the colder months to warm them up.
"We are committed to reducing property crime through innovation, education and community partnership," said Cpl. Ryan Lee with the Richmond RCMP's Property Crime Unit.
"Auto crime enforcement month is a reminder that simple preventative actions can have a big impact."
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