Edmonton Police Service is noting an increase in auto thefts.
Between 2022 and 2023 police report a 7.6 per cent increase with 4,714 vehicle thefts in 2023, versus 4,381 in 2022. This nets out better than the 17 per cent that EPS notes between 2021 and ’22. In 2021, there were 3,744 auto thefts reported to EPS, police say.
One method that victims can use to protect themselves from auto theft is to, “not leave vehicles running unoccupied,” EPS said in a media release.
Police made 490 arrests relating to auto theft in 2023, resulting in 1,700 criminal charges and the recovery of more than $18 million in stolen vehicles and equipment.
“We see mainly two different motives when it comes to auto theft,” Acting Staff Sergeant Ian Strom said in the release. “Some vehicles are being stolen and used locally for crime, while others are being shipped overseas for profit.”
“Vehicles being stolen and shipped overseas contribute to this reduction in stolen vehicle recovery,” Sgt. Storm said.
