The Saskatchewan RCMP released their report stating in 2021 in which a total of 1,519 vehicle thefts were filed with the Saskatchewan RCMP. Resulting in more than 100 vehicle thefts reported per month between January 1st to December 31st, 2021 . A few of the filed reports claimed more than one stolen vehicle. Vehicles added in the report included cars, trucks SUVs, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, tractors, skid steers etc.
“Our Crime Analysts are able to sort through the data we receive when people report crimes such as these vehicle thefts and are able to track criminal activities and trends this way,” says Sgt. Scott Hunter of the Saskatchewan RCMP Crime Prevention and Crime Reduction Unit. “This intelligence-based information tells us that some stolen vehicles are additionally used in the commission of other crimes including break and enters, dangerous driving and flight from police. So vehicle thefts sometimes end up being more than just vehicle thefts.”
Out of the 1,519 reported thefts 1,095 or about 72% of the vehicles were recovered. 368 of the recovered vehicles were damaged in some way including being burned, stripped of parts or involved in a collision.
It is important to note that smaller vehicles, which could be loaded onto a trailer or into a truck (such as ATVs or motorcycles), had lower recovery rates than cars, trucks, and SUVs.
About 29% or 451 of the owners who reported a stolen vehicle admitted to leaving keys inside the vehicle at the time of the theft. Drivers who leave a parked vehicle running, even for a few minutes, might return to find their vehicle missing. It is important to always take the keys with you when you leave the vehicle. The same risks apply to commercial vehicles such as semi trailers, farm tractors and heavy equipment as they do for a personal vehicle – keys left inside can lead to theft.
Hiding your keys inside or with the vehicle is as risky as leaving them in the ignition. With today’s push-button start key fobs, the thief doesn’t even have to locate keys to steal your vehicle. Even if a key is needed, there are only so many hiding places in or on a vehicle and the thief is likely to find it.
Remember to remove all valuable items out of your vehicle whenever possible, including tools, bank cards, and personal identification – all of which can lead to additional criminal activity. Remove garage door openers from vehicles. It could allow someone access to your home. Also, do not leave keys in the vehicle when you run out of fuel on the road. Someone else might come by with a jerry can of fuel and help themselves to your vehicle.
For more information, please go to https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/sk/home
