Auto thefts rise in Regina for the first time in 10 years

Auto thefts are up in Regina for the first time in a decade, and police are now reminding you to keep your keys with you.

Statistics released on Wednesday show that the number of attempted and completed auto thefts between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31 this year is up 15.1 per cent from the same time last year. This is the first time the auto theft rate for Regina has risen in the past ten years.

In addition, police said in about a third of the vehicles stolen this year the keys were either left somewhere in the vehicle or in the ignition.

So, the Regina Police Service is taking steps to remind you to be a little more cautious when warming up your vehicle, starting a public education campaign called, “Don’t give your car away; Take your keys.”

In a news release, Chief Troy Hagen said, “Asking people to change their habits takes effort and time. But it’s worth it when you consider that one-third of our auto thefts could be so easily prevented if we all just take our keys.”