VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Auto theft has plunged during the last decade in the Lower Mainland.

The Bait Car program, the courts, and improved technology are all getting some of the credit.

From January to June of this year, there were 2,244 vehicles stolen in the Lower Mainland. During the same time period in 2003, there were 10,106 vehicles stolen. That’s a 78 per cent drop in auto theft since 2003. At the same time, theft from vehicles has gone down 64 per cent.

Sergeant Rayburn Ross of BC’s Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team says bait cars are making a difference. “As recently as Sunday morning, Langley detachment had somebody who stole their bait car. That person has since been arrested.”    

Ross also credits the courts. “I think the courts have taken them a lot more seriously because they are actually seeing their actions inside the vehicles.”

And he says technology is making it harder for cars to be stolen.