New Brunswick RCMP say they are seeing a rise in vehicle thefts and thefts from vehicles in the province.

Mounties reported theft under or equal to $5,000 from a motor vehicle was in the top 10 criminal offences in 2022 with 1,511 cases. This represents an increase of almost nine per cent from the 1,381 cases recorded in 2021.

Police also say there was a 13 per cent increase in vehicle theft occurrences between 2022 and 2023 and a 51 per cent increase since 2019.

RCMP are offering some tips if you’ve been a victim or want to prevent being a victim of vehicle theft:

• Never leave anything valuable like keys, wallets, purses, or shopping bags in your vehicle.
• Hide anything that could alert thieves that you have valuables in your vehicle, such as a computer or cell phone charging cables.
• Remove all cash from plain view. Loose change can be an incentive for a thief to break into your vehicle.
• If you must leave bags or valuables in the car, store them in the trunk. Never leave them in plain sight.
• Never leave your vehicle running. It takes seconds for a thief to hop into your car and drive off.
• Park in a well-lit, high-visibility area, or a secure garage when possible.
• Close and lock all vehicle windows and doors.
• Report any suspicious people or activity around vehicles or residences to local police.

Police encourage New Brunswickers to use the RCMP Online Crime Reporting website or visit a local detachment to report a crime. You should dial 911 immediately if the incident is still in progress or if it is an emergency.