Auto theft in Medicine Hat dropped 17 per cent in 2023. (CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

NEW

Auto theft on the decline in Medicine Hat, 17% lower in 2023 over year previous

Feb 9, 2024 | 4:27 PM

One vehicle was stolen every five minutes across Canada last year — but in Medicine Hat, thefts are on the decline.

A government summit was held on auto theft in Ottawa on Thursday.

The federal government will be investing $28 million into the Canadian Border Services Agency to help track down stolen vehicles before they are able to leave the country.

Tougher sentences for those convicted of car theft, and a ban on devices used to steal vehicles by copying the wireless signal are also being pursued by the government.

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Across Alberta last year, there were 8,710 auto thefts, a decrease of three per cent from 2022.

In Medicine Hat, the numbers of thefts slowed even more dropping to 119 last year from 144 the year prior.

Insp. Brent Secondiak with the Medicine Hat Police Service said that the 17 per cent decrease is positive to see.

So far this year, thefts remain on the decline.

“They’re about the same as the averages show, we’ve had 12 stolen vehicles this year,” Secondiak told CHAT News on Friday.

“Most of those are result of people leaving vehicles running or keys within the vehicle,” he added.

“It’s more of a crime of opportunity in our city than it is anything organized.”

Secondiak added if you are letting your vehicle run unattended, ensuring it is locked and having remote start to utilize is a good theft prevention method.