Battle against car thieves in Mississauga and Brampton is focus of cop conference

Registration is now open for those who want to attend a gathering of international law enforcement officials and others who’ll come together next spring in Mississauga to discuss ways to reduce car thefts and related crimes.

In an ongoing effort to battle a significant increase in car thefts in Mississauga and Brampton, Peel Regional Police will host the 51st annual Vehicle Crimes Conference, taking place May 6-9, 2024 at the Mississauga Convention Centre.

The four-day event is being staged by Peel cops in collaboration with the U.S.-based Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators.

The police conference will feature numerous guest speakers, workshops and other components all geared toward fighting the growing crime of auto theft in Peel, the GTA and southern Ontario, and across North America, organizers say.

Peel police noted on social media today that registration for the conference is open.

Speaking at a press conference back in March after police had recovered dozens of Range Rovers and other luxury vehicles worth more than $10 million that were stolen from homes in Mississauga and Brampton and destined for the Middle East, Peel’s police chief noted car theft rings are a huge problem.

Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said at the time that car thefts are dramatically increasing, particularly in Mississauga and Brampton where the per capita rate is the highest in the country.

“To say auto theft is an epidemic across Canada and Ontario would be an understatement,” Duraiappah said in March.

Next May’s police conference will feature numerous participants, all with a common goal, police say.

“The conference will have a key focus on preventing auto theft, insurance fraud and (related) crimes,” Peel police said earlier via social media. 

In addition to luxury vehicles and SUVs, sports cars are among the favourite targets of car thieves. (Photo: Peel Regional Police)

In the car theft ring bust back in March, dubbed Project R&R, 78 vehicles were recovered by police and four men were charged.

Investigators said a “well-organized and well-funded” criminal network was behind the auto thefts.

Vehicles were also stolen from underground parking garages at Pearson Airport in Mississauga in addition to homes in Mississauga and Brampton.

Auto thefts, in many cases targeting luxury vehicles right from homeowners’ driveways in Mississauga and Brampton, and across the GTA, have been on the dramatic rise in recent years.

According to Peel police, there were nearly 6,000 vehicles stolen last year in Mississauga and Brampton.

In addition to the May 2024 conference and a commitment of more money and manpower to combat the dramatic increase in car thefts, Peel police are also hosting their second annual Auto Theft Summit next March 20.

They say the inaugural summit, held earlier this year, was a success in developing ideas to fight the growing crime.