The ongoing problem of car theft continues to haunt the neighborhoods of Mississauga and Brampton, with more than 600 incidents reported in the last 31 days.

From January 10 to February 10, Peel police data indicates that 683 vehicle thefts were reported in both cities - 317 in Mississauga
and 366 in Brampton

This leads to nearly 22 or more thefts daily in the area, and as of February 10: 18 cases related to stolen vehicles have been successfully solved, while 634 cases are still under investigation, and 31 cases are considered unsolved. Among these stolen vehicles, there were 473 cars, 154 trucks, three motorcycles, and four were simply listed as others.

Peel regional police data highlights the top 7 common hotspots for

these car thefts:

. Airport Road

. City Centre Road

Dixie Road •

. Great Lakes Road

. Kennedy Road

. Lakeshore Road

. Viscount Road

Compared to the same period last year (January 10 - February 10, 2023), the number of vehicle thefts was significantly low, with 39 incidents reported in Mississauga and Brampton. However, these numbers increased month after month, reaching a total of 7,637 car thefts over 12 months in 2023.

Peel police data reveals that in January, the area experienced 655 vehicle thefts plus an additional 683 reported in February, bringing the annual total to 1,338, reflecting a slight increase of about 4.27%.

This continuous rise in car theft incidents can instill fear and safety concerns among residents.

A notable car theft story from last month included the theft of four vehicles worth $200,000 from Halton, Peel, and Toronto that were later recovered in Dubai.

Examining the patterns of stolen cars shows that some areas are more at risk than others, prompting local residents to take extra precautions.

Peel police shared useful tips to prevent residents from falling victim to car theft:

. If possible, park your car in a closed garage

as the majority of vehicles have been stolen from

driveways.

. Use a steering wheel lock, which will also serve

as a clear deterrent.