The West Region OPP Crime Unit is warning residents in Wellington, Huron and Perth counties of an increase in the number of vehicle thefts.
OPP is reporting 69 vehicle thefts in the three counties over the past six months.
Of those, 50 to 60% of the vehicle thefts occurred while the keys to the vehicle were either inside the vehicle or in the ignition.
Police are encouraging vehicle owners to ensure valuables are removed from their vehicles, the vehicles locked and the keys secured in a safe location away from the vehicle.
OPP also remind vehicle operators never to leave vehicles unattended and running. Often would-be-thieves are waiting outside stores, fast-food restaurants and other locations just waiting for these crimes of opportunity, police note.
