Residents of Owen Sound are being urged to lock their unattended vehicles.
The Owen Sound Police Services Board was told on Wednesday by Chief Tom Kaye that the summer saw a dramatic increase in the number of thefts involving unlocked vehicles.
Kaye says the majority of these incidents have taken place in the overnight hours in residential neighbourhoods.
Items stolen have included coins, compact discs and GPS systems.
Locked vehicles have escaped the crime wave.
He also says groups of teens appear to be behind the thefts.
Some suspects have been caught…but the thefts continue.
Kaye says these crimes are easily preventable, but they invariably tie up police resources because each incident must be investigated.
He also urges residents to report their concerns to police if they see suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods at any time of the day or night.