Vancouver police are digging into their pockets to clamp down on vehicle theft in the city.

The VPD announced Thursday it will give free steering-wheel locks to Vancouver residents who own one of the top 10 most frequently stolen vehicles.

“It’s a deterrent,” said Det. Phil Ens. “If there’s two Honda Civics there, which one are they going to steal? The one with the club, or the one without?”

Drivers of one of the top 10 most-stolen vehicles can bring their vehicle registration to a VPD public service counter or community policing centre to pick up their locks.

The VPD said the new theft prevention initiative, dubbed “Operation Lock-Up,” is the result of a slight 6.7 per cent increase in the number of vehicles stolen last year versus the year before – driven by the number of trucks and vans that were thieved.

The program is funded by the Vancouver Police Foundation and ICBC.

According to the VPD, the top 10 most frequently stolen vehicles are:

  1. Honda Civic (Pre-2000)
  2. Ford F150, F250, F350 trucks (Pre-1999 F150; Pre-2007 F250 / F350)
  3. Honda Accord (Pre-1998)
  4. Dodge / Plymouth / Chrysler minivan (1991-2000)
  5. Jeep Cherokee (1993-1999)
  6. Ford Econoline Van (2000-2007)
  7. Toyota Corolla (1990-2004)
  8. Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra trucks (1992-2006)
  9. Acura Integra (1990-2001)
  10. Toyota Camry / Solara (1989-1999)

For a list of locations where you can pick up your free lock, visit the Vancouver Police website.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's St. John Alexander