Thefts from vehicles have spiked over the past year in most neighbourhoods served by Victoria police, including a more than threefold increase in Rockland.
Rockland’s numbers have gone from 11 to 37, North Jubilee’s from 11 to 24 and Fairfield’s from 72 to 154.
Only Harris Green, the downtown area and Esquimalt had lower numbers this year than last.
The average increase overall was 30 per cent.
Victoria Police Chief Del Manak said it is believed that many of the thefts are being carried out by a small group of prolific offenders.
“We are keeping the public updated on crime trends in their neighbourhoods so that they can work with us to reduce the likelihood of victimization,” he said.
“That’s why we are asking people to remove valuables from their vehicles to reduce the likelihood of these crimes occurring in the first place.”
Officers and Crime Watch volunteers are active in the most-affected areas.
Since many of the thefts happen at night, Victoria police advise people to be part of the “9 p.m. ritual” — making sure all valuables are out of vehicles by 9 p.m.
Police ask anyone who sees someone looking into a vehicle or trying the door handles to call 911.
