How to Reduce the Risk of Vehicle Theft
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October 15, 2026
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When parking your vehicle:
- Never leave a vehicle parked and running when you run an errand-even for a minute
- Always, remove the keys and take them with you
- Park in a well-lit, attended area if possible
- Completely close and lock doors and windows
- Turn your wheels towards the curb to make it harder to tow
When at home:
- If you have a garage, use and lock it
- Install a motion sensor light to light up your vehicles and garage
- If you have a rear-wheel drive car, back into driveway
- If you have a front-wheel drive car, park front end first
- Always set the emergency brake
- Don’t leave the original ownership or insurance cards in the vehicle when unattended - make a photocopy of both sides of the documents to leave in your vehicle
- Drop business cards or address labels inside doors to assist with vehicle identification
Other important tips:
- Never hide a spare key in the vehicle, thieves know where to look
- Be aware of your surroundings and drive with your doors locked
Preventing Theft from Your Vehicle
- Never leave ANYTHING on display when you leave your vehicle. This Includes purses left in the front seat when pumping gas and power chords to run and charge devices as these may attract thieves to your vehicle
- Lock all parcels and shopping bags in the trunk of your vehicle
- Consider an alarm – Consider installing an alarm if you regularly leave your vehicle in accessible unattended places such as parking garage or a commuter parking lot. Remember to always take anti-theft precautions, regardless of whether you have an alarm as an alarm can only be expected to improve your chances of not being a
If Your Vehicle is Stolen:
Report the theft to the Police Immediately. You should be ready to report the following vehicle information:
- Year and make, model, color(s)
- License number
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Serial numbers of all special equipment
- Special markings - decals, after-market parts, dents, scratches, other damage, etc.
If your accessories are stolen, the Police will need specific information to identify these items. By taking simple precautions, you can dramatically reduce the risk of vehicle theft or the loss of property from your vehicle.
To report a crime anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at: 1-800-222-8477(TIPS) or online at: www.222tips.com
In An Emergency: Call 9-1-1.
To report a crime to the Toronto Police that is not an emergency call 416-808-2222.
