Ontario invests $6 million in police to combat auto theft

The Ontario government has announced an additional $6 million investment to combat auto theft, following a 36 per cent decline in vehicle thefts compared to the 2023 peak. According to the Équité Association’s 2025 report, vehicle thefts in the province fell to 19,319 in 2025 from a high of 30,134 in 2023. This new funding will support 22 police projects through the 2026-2027 Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) Grant Program.

In the Peel Region, police are simultaneously addressing a surge in distraction thefts. Peel Regional Police reported over 230 such incidents this year, a significant increase from 25 incidents in 2024. One recent incident in Brampton involved an elderly woman being robbed of approximately $19,000 in gold jewellery after suspects used physical contact and conversation to distract her. Investigators noted that many of these thefts occur in the afternoon and frequently target gold jewellery.