The VPD say the numbers are not just a Vancouver problem, but happening across the region

In general, it has gone up 25 per cent over the last quarter

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Vancouver Police say they’re dealing with a level of property crime they haven’t seen for decades. In general it has gone up 25 per cent in the last quarter, while theft from autos has jumped 50 per cent.

The force isn’t sure how to solve this but they have been working on a number of different plans. “They include educational strategies, educating the public, they include enforcement strategies and I can tell you we’re also looking at how we’re dealing with chronic offenders,” explains Constable Brian Montague.

He believes a small group of chronic offenders are often responsible for a great deal of this type of crime. In fact, he points out they see a noticeable spike when one of these criminals is released.

Despite the uptick in numbers, Montague stresses property crime is not a Vancouver specific problem and there are similar increases are being seen around the region.