There has been a 19 per cent increase in thefts from vehicles during the period of January 1 to July 10, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, according to Abbotsford Police.
This translates as 638 total theft reports in just over six months. Police say electronics, wallets/purses, identification, cash, registration documents, license plates and validation decals are the most common targets for the thefts.
Police say that some owners are not helping to prevent thefts and many of the targeted vehicles were “unlocked” or “possibly unlocked” according to the owners, and often the stolen items were left in plain view for the thief. In addition, some victims have attempted to hide their valuables (by placing them in the trunk for example) but did so conspicuously which may have contributed to the subsequent theft.
A map released by police show the locations where the vehicles have been targeted, showing concentrations of thefts in Abbotsford’s more urban areas as well as parking lots of popular parks throughout the city.
The Abbotsford Police Department is reminding people to lock their vehicles and to keep their valuables with them. Suspicious activity in and around vehicles should be reported to the APD immediately.