Vehicle thefts down by more than 30 per cent in York Region: police [Video]

The chief of the York Regional Police says there has been a 31 per cent reduction in the number of vehicle thefts year-over-year, calling the decrease “a silver lining in a what is still a bad news story.”

During the launch of Operation Auto Guard 2.0, York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween said there have been 2,440 vehicles stolen in the region so far this year, down from 3,460 at this time last year.

He said last year’s campaign of the same name resulted in the recovery of 80 vehicles worth an estimated total of $5 million.

“We know that combating these extensive criminal activities will take more than one campaign, more than one police service, and more than one approach,” MacSween said.

“The brazen and violent nature of auto theft has escalated due to the involvement of more organized crime, which has extended its reach of these criminals beyond …