Mounties near Victoria say they are investigating a dramatic rise in auto thefts this year.
The West Shore RCMP received 22 reports of stolen vehicles between Jan. 1 and Feb. 25, nearly three times higher than the eight reports received at the Langford-based detachment during the same period last year.
Nine of the 22 vehicles reported stolen this year are pickup trucks, the detachment said in a statement.
Vehicle owners are urged to never leave car keys unattended and never leave a spare key inside the vehicle.
Investigators say owners of vehicles built before 2007 should consider using an anti-theft device such as a steering wheel lock or electronic engine immobilizer to prevent thefts.
Police advise drivers to park in well-lit areas or secure garages, and keep valuables in the vehicle out of sight.
“While police are working hard to investigate these vehicle thefts, there are protective measures vehicle owners can take to mitigate the chances of their vehicles being stolen,” the RCMP statement said.
