The B.C. government says auto thefts have dropped by 45 per cent across the province since 2003, a decline it attributes to crime-fighting tools such as bait cars, which are designed to trick thieves.
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In the first six months of 2008, the number of car thefts across B.C. fell to 6,700 from 12,100 in the first six months of 2003, the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General said Thursday.
In Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, thefts dropped to 4,650 from 10,110 in the same period.
Statistics for the first six months of 2008 also show drops of 19 per cent in the Lower Mainland (to 4,650 from 5,760) and 16 per cent province-wide (to 6,700 from 7,930) from the levels seen in the first six months of last year.
"The unprecedented decreases in auto theft show that the Province's investments in our integrated auto theft and road safety units are paying off," said B.C. Solicitor General John van Dongen.
"Car thieves are more aware of police crime-fighting tools that are stacking the odds against them, and the public is better educated on steps they can take to protect their vehicles, like installing an immobilizer."
The crime fighting tools include bait cars, immobilizer technology and helicopter support.
"The statistics show clearly that car thieves are getting the message: steal a bait car, go to jail,'' said Sgt. Gord Elias of the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT).
Following is a comparison of auto theft rates for the first six months of 2008, compared to the same period of 2003.
- Fraser Valley: Down 47 per cent from 4,790 to 2,550
- Greater Vancouver: Down 61 per cent from 5,320 to 2,100)
- North Central: Down seven per cent from 460 in 2003 to 430)
- Southern Interior: Down one per cent from 950 to 940)
- Vancouver Island: Up 31 per cent from 490 to 640, though the rate has dropped from last year's numbers from 800 to 640.
