598 vehicles stolen in the last 31 days in Mississauga and Brampton

As a new month begins, the persisting issue of stolen vehicles continues to plague the neighbourhoods of Mississauga and Brampton with nearly 600 incidents reported in the past month.

From Oct. 18  to Nov. 18, Peel police data indicates a combined 598 vehicle thefts were reported across both cities — 361 in Mississauga and 237 in Brampton.

This works out to approximately 20 thefts or more per day in the region.

As of today (Nov. 18) only eight stolen vehicle cases have been successfully solved, while 544  are still being investigated and six are deemed unsolved.

Of these stolen vehicles 526 were automobiles (cars), 64 trucks, seven motorcycles and one was simply listed as “others.”

The following map shows where this past month’s auto thefts took place:

Peel police data highlights the top 8 common hotspots for these carjacking’s:

• Airport Road
• Biscayne Crescent
• City Centre Drive
• Dixie Road
• Great Lakes Drive
• Kennedy Road
• Terminal Three Road
• Viscount Road

Compared to the same time last year (Oct. 18 – Nov. 18, 2022), the count of vehicle thefts stood at a significantly low 20 incidents for Mississauga and Brampton. This stark increase in carjacking’s could instill fear and concern among residents.

According to Peel police data, car thefts this past year has seen a roller-coaster kind of trend.  From June to July the region experienced an uptick of about 6.4% in car thefts signalling a subsequent surge of approximately 6.4% from July to August.

September brought a sense of relief, revealing a modest slowdown in incidents of this kind, marking a reduction to half of the summer’s frequency.

However this respite was short-lived, as in October there was a 25% spike in car thefts, highlighting a significant upward trajectory.

Interestingly, November saw a contrasting shift—a subtle yet significant 2.60% decrease in vehicle thefts. This suggests a noteworthy alteration in the recent trend.

In its annual report on the vehicles most targeted by thieves, Équité Association disclosed details on the top 10 “least stolen” vehicles throughout Ontario, which include  Toyota, Nissan, and Hyundai brands.

It appears that thieves are diversifying their targets, extending beyond traditional land vehicles to watercraft. In a significant incident this past month, police charged two individuals after discovering over $100,000 worth of stolen Sea-Doos and SUV in Caledon.

Insights into the patterns of car thefts reveal that certain areas are more vulnerable than others, prompting local residents to take extra precautions.

Peel police have shared helpful tips to prevent residents from falling victim to auto thefts:

• if possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage, as the majority of the vehicles have been stolen from driveways.
• use a steering wheel lock. It will also act as a visible deterrent.
• install a lock on the data port. This simple device can be purchased online and blocks access to the computer port where the thieves gain access to reprogram the vehicle’s keys.
• consider purchasing a quality video surveillance system. Ensure cameras are properly placed and functioning for day and night use. Familiarize yourself with the system so it can be reviewed and accessed immediately.