Saskatchewan RCMP say they created 1,519 theft files between January 1st and December 31st last year and 29 per cent of the stolen vehicles had keys left inside.

After crunching the numbers, the Saskatchewan RCMP have determined that throughout their various detachments they average more than 100 vehicle thefts being reported a month and that can include any multitude of vehicle from cars trucks and SUVs to snowmobiles, motorcycles, tractors and skid steers.

About 72 per cent, or 1,095 of the vehicles reported stolen were recovered. Smaller vehicles which could be loaded onto a trailer or truck like an ATV or motorbike had a lower recovery rate.

Of the recovered vehicles, 368 were damaged in some way including being burned, stripped of parts or involved in a collision.

Some vehicles may be left running with keys inside as people warm them up and leave them to enter their home or a store for a brief moment, and return to find their vehicle gone. And the RCMP points out that hiding your keys inside or with the vehicle is as risky as leaving them in the ignition. With today’s push button start key fobs, the thief doesn’t even have to locate keys to steal your vehicle.

Sergeant Scott Hunter of the Saskatchewan RCMP Crime Prevention and Crime Reduction Unit says, “This intelligence-based information tells us that some stolen vehicles are additionally used in the commission of other crimes including break and enters, dangerous driving and flight from police. So vehicle thefts sometimes end up being more than just vehicle thefts.”

Here are a few additional tips from RCMP for vehicle owners to help prevent theft:
– Remember to remove all valuable items out of your vehicle whenever possible, including tools, bank cards, and personal identification – all of which can lead to additional criminal activity.
– Remove garage door openers from vehicles which may allow someone access to your home.
– Do not leave keys in the vehicle when you run out of fuel on the road. Someone else might come by with a jerry can of fuel and help themselves to your vehicle.