Auto theft continued to be one of the most prevalent crimes in 2024 and is expected to rise in 2025 due to organized crime and high demand for auto parts, causing significant distress to vehicle owners and parking lot managers. According to insurance broker ICBC, 6,255 vehicles were stolen, and 8,823 were broken into in British Columbia in 2023. In Ontario, 12,275 auto thefts were reported in 2023, which is a 24.6% increase from 2022. In the first four days of 2025, 34 vehicles were stolen in Mississauga and Brampton.
In this article, we’ll explore actionable steps to deter auto crime from your parking lot and how owners can keep their vehicles safe.
Paladin's Approach to Deter Auto Crime
If you own or run a parking facility and are concerned about the potential risk of auto crimes, here are some tips from our experts. At Paladin Security, we provide high-level security services to commercial and retail properties to protect clients' and customers' property. Paladin Security Directors James Blights, CPP, and Sean Kelly are experienced Security industry professionals and recommend the following approaches to deter auto crime:
Signages to Remind Customers to Remove Valuables
“Theft from a vehicle is usually a crime of opportunity,” says Blight.
Often, auto break-ins occur when someone walks by a vehicle and sees valuables through the window. Using signage throughout the parking areas can effectively remind customers to remove all valuables from their vehicles and leave nothing of value visible.
“Drivers need to think about perceived value. For example, to the driver, a stinky gym bag in the back seat is not desirable, but a thief looks in through the window and sees a bag that might contain valuables. The best practice is to ensure as much as possible that there is nothing visible in the vehicle that could be perceived as valuable,” says Blight.
Improve Parking Lot Visibility
Parking at a well-lit parking lot with monitored cameras is an effective solution to deterring auto crime activity. To improve the visibility in a parking lot, dark areas should be painted white and paired with LED lighting with a Colour Rendering Index (CRI) rating of 80 or better installed to increase the quality of the CCTV image. The Colour Rendering Index is a quantitative measure of a light source’s ability to reveal the colours of various objects compared to a natural or standard light source. Higher rates of CRI lights can improve the colour accuracy, image clarity, and colour contrast in the image captured by CCTV, which helps better identify objects or individuals in the parking lot.
Increase Patrol Security
Security patrols on foot, by bicycle, and/or by vehicle can deter criminal activity. Install Guard Tour points in vulnerable areas to track security's presence and frequency. CCTV cameras in parking areas should be continuously monitored (if available) for suspicious activity.
Investigate Suspicious Behaviour
Most customers do only two things in a parking lot: Walk to/from a building or use their vehicles. If any individual looks like doing neither of these, security should be dispatched to investigate and deter any suspicious or potential criminal activities.
Collaborate with Community
Security is everyone’s responsibility. In addition to having security proactively patrol the area, we also encourage collaborating with the local community to involve police and community volunteers in keeping an eye on the high-risk areas on the property.
“We can also ask janitorial staff, operational staff, tenants, and customers to immediately report any suspicious activities on the property and parking areas to security. Security is everyone's responsibility,” says Blight.
How to Prevent Auto Crime as a Vehicle Owner
As a vehicle owner, remember these tips when you park your car on the street or in a parking lot to make your vehicle less likely to be a target of auto theft.
Remove Valuables from your Vehicles
According to police reports in BC, here are the most stolen items from vehicles:
- Smartphones
- Personal electronics—tablets, laptops, iPods, GPS
- Work tools
- Credit cards and identification
- Stereo equipment
- Cash and change
- Car parts and accessories
- Garage door openers
- Sunglasses
- Keys
Taking these valuable items with you when you leave the car or moving them to the trunk or back of an SUV with a rear cover trunk shield can effectively make your vehicle less attractive to auto theft.
Use Anti-Theft Device
Older vehicles are more likely to be targeted by auto theft due to the lack of modern anti-theft features such as alarms, immobilizers, and GPS tracking systems. To combat this, the Canada Transport Minister mandated that all new vehicles built after September 1st, 2007, must include an anti-theft immobilizing system to prevent unauthorized use.
Many provinces are also looking for ways to stop auto crime. In BC, ICBC partnered with local police in communities to fund steering wheel locks for owners of older model vehicles being targeted by thieves.
Vehicle owners can also adopt brake and tire locks, and dashcams with motion detection and flashlights as significant visual deterrents to auto theft. Additionally, using GPS trackers, RFID blockers, and car alarms can help prevent your vehicle from being driven away after break-ins.
Park Your Vehicles in Secure and Well-lit Areas.
You should always shut the windows and lock the doors before you leave your vehicle. Remember to park in well-lit areas in a parking lot so that auto theft is less likely to happen. If you park on the street, make sure you find a spot near a streetlight or pedestrian traffic, both of which help deter crime.
“Don’t make it easy for the thieves; locking your car is an easy deterrent. Ensuring your vehicle is parked in a well-lit location, ideally with plenty of people around, will discourage would-be thieves who prefer to do their activities unnoticed,” says Blight.
Top 10 Stolen Vehicles in Canada in 2024
Auto thieves tend to profit from illegally reselling the vehicles they steal. They are more likely to target vehicles in good condition, serviceability, and high resale value. The vehicles listed below are popular due to their value and performance, which are more likely to be seen on the street and targeted by auto thieves.
Check out the list of the Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Canada to see if your vehicle makes it on the list.
- Toyota Highlander 2021 - SUV
- Dodge Ram 1500 Series 2022 - Truck
- Lexus RX series 2022 - SUV
- Honda CR-V 2021 - SUV
- Toyota RAV4 2021 - SUV
- Honda Civic 2019 - Car
- Jeep Wrangler 2021 - SUV
- Land Rover Range Rover Series 2020 - SUV
- Chevrolet/GMC Suburban/Yukon/ Tahoe Series 2023 - SUV
- Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500 Series 2006 - Truck
Even if your vehicle isn’t on this list, preventative measures still need to be taken to protect it from theft or break-ins.
When you park your vehicles next time, choose a well-lit spot, remove valuables, and consider using an anti-theft device. If you manage a parking facility and need to secure multiple vehicles, explore how Paladin Security’s solution can help reduce crime and enhance the customer experience at your facility.
