B.C.'s car thieves are about to go live.
Cameras that provide real-time images and sound are being installed in the province's upgraded next generation of bait cars.
Solicitor General John van Dongen says the Bait Car Live program will mean that thieves will be monitored by dispatchers, who will relay the information to police in pursuit.
With the old bait car program, the video could not be recovered until after the vehicle had been stopped and the suspect arrested, but Van Dongen says the live technology will allow police to see inside the car as a theft is in progress, offering vital details about whether the thief has a weapon or if more than one person is involved.
"The impact program the bait car program is very effective. We've seen a 47 per cent reduction in car theft in the last five years and that is translated into saving for auto plan customers," said Van Dongen on Wednesday.
This translates into vehicles thefts dropping from 25,500 to 13,400 since 2003.
Van Dongen said the cameras will improve safety for both police and the general public.
On Wednesday, the RCMP also released a list of the 10 most wanted auto thieves in the province. A view of the list can be seen by clicking here.
