Three-quarters of recent car thefts in Manitoba involved the use of keys: Manitoba Public Insurance

Of the 400 vehicles reported stolen to Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) this past spring, 75% involved the use of keys, the Crown corporation reported recently. The percentage represents an 11% increase for key-related thefts compared to the spring of 2014, MPI said in a press release.

With the goal of raising awareness about protecting vehicle keys, MPI and CAA Manitoba have launched a public awareness campaign, in partnership with members of the Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP). Over the next few months, COPP members will be holding information sessions in their respective communities to remind vehicle owners about the importance of safeguarding vehicle keys. In total, there are 59 COPP groups in the province.

“Stolen vehicles are typically driven dangerously, potentially endangering the lives of innocent motorist, pedestrians and cyclists,” said Ward Keith, vice president, business development & communications and chief product officer, MPI, in the release.

Gord Macintosh, the provincial Attorney General & minister responsible for MPI, added that “thanks to a number of highly successful anti-theft initiatives, Winnipeg has long lost the tag as the auto theft capital of Canada. Over the last decade, auto thefts in Winnipeg have declined by nearly 85%, he said. “However, there’s still work to be done if we want to achieve further reductions in the auto theft numbers.”

MPI offers the following tips to help prevent key-related thefts:

• Don’t keep keys anywhere inside a vehicle;

• Be careful with keys to avoid losing them, or having them stolen;

• Don’t leave a vehicle running unattended; and

• Always keep a vehicle locked.