Trailer thieves in B.C. might want to hit the trail now that they are being targeted by police. The Bait Trailer was unveiled today by Solicitor General Shirley Bond to kick off Auto Crime Enforcement Month.

"This is the latest weapon in the highly successful Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT) arsenal, which puts thieves behind bars on a regular basis," said Bond. "In fact, the province has seen an unprecedented seven-consecutive-year drop in car thefts since 2003. This is a 65 per cent decrease from 26,000 incidents in 2003 to 9,000 in 2010."

Last year auto theft in the province was down 22 per cent compared to 2009, and thefts from inside vehicles were down 15 per cent compared to the year before - a 61 per cent drop since 2003. Despite the decrease over seven years, trailer theft has remained constant, with about 500 trailers stolen every year in B.C. The new bait trailers can range from recreational and camping-type trailers, to mobile cargo and utility units.

"If you are purchasing what appears to be a manufactured trailer, it is required to have a VIN (vehicle identification number)," said IMPACT's Sergeant Gord Elias. "We want you to check the VIN on the trailer to ensure that it matches the VIN on the registration. If you suspect the trailer is stolen, do not confront the seller, but instead contact the police."

Police attribute the successive reductions in auto theft to the work of IMPACT and the bait car project that was launched in 2002 in the Lower Mainland. Bait cars and other bait vehicles including motorcycles, ATV's, boats, snowmobiles and now trailers are waiting to be stolen in nearly all corners of the province.

Bond and members of Lower Mainland police forces also announced the top ten most wanted vehicle thieves, and released video of the first bait-trailer theft and arrest - which was captured on video by Air 1 - and the bait-truck that was attached to the trailer.

For more information on the Bait Car program and to view a video of the first bait trailer apprehension, visit: www.baitcar.com

Contact:

Public Affairs
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
250 356-6961