Keep your holiday season bright: Protect your gifts from opportunistic thieves
Richmond
2024-11-27 08:22 PST
With the holiday shopping season in full swing, Richmond RCMP urges everyone to take simple steps to prevent theft from vehicles. By being cautious, you can help keep Richmond safe and secure and ensure a joyous season for all.
The holiday season is about joy and giving, but thieves can take advantage of this busy time.
said Corporal Adriana O’Malley, Richmond RCMP Media Relations Officer, Never leave your gifts or valuables in your vehicle, even for a short time. A few simple precautions can make all the difference in preventing theft and ensuring a safe and joyful season for everyone.
Preventing theft from vehicles:
- Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle. Thieves can break in for as little as loose change or a lighter. Always remove personal items like purses, wallets, credit cards, electronics, and holiday gifts.
- Use your trunk for storage. If you must leave items in your car, secure them in the trunk before reaching your destination to avoid alerting thieves.
- Be alert to suspicious behaviour. If you see someone lingering near vehicles, report it immediately to police of jurisdiction. Try to provide a description of the person and their vehicle, including the license plate, but do not confront them. Your safety comes first.
Watch and share our video
Richmond RCMP has created a short educational video to promote theft from auto awareness during the holiday season. Watch the video below or on our social media channels and share it with friends and family.
Transcription
No Audio.
Video description:
Video pans from the top of a large green Christmas tree decorated with lights and red Christmas bobbles.
A man wearing a grey jacket and black pants is seen walking from behind in an outdoor mall with stores on either side. He starts with one bag in his hand. As he continues to walk more bags appear in his hands.
The shot changes. The same man wearing a grey jacket and black pants is now seen walking towards the camera in a parking lot. There area cars parked to his right.
The man is now standing behind a black car holding the bags. The trunk of the car opens and the man places the bags in it.
The shot changes to show from inside of the trunk. The shot is looking out between two shopping bags into the parking lot where the torso of the man wearing the grey jacket is visible. The man closes the trunk.
The shot fades to black and the following words appear in the centre of the screen: Keep it out of sight. Keep it out of reach.
The RCMP crest and Richmond RCMP are in the lower right corner.
The screen fades to black and the RCMP crest, Royal Canadian Mounted Police written in both English and French and the copyright for His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2022, appears on the screen.
The shot changes to show the word Canada with a waving Canadian Flag over the a appear on the screen and the video ends.
In addition to stealing gifts or other personal items, thieves may also smash the window of your vehicle, resulting in costly repairs. By staying vigilant, you can help prevent these crimes and reduce their impact on the community.
If you are a victim of theft or attempted theft, report the incident to police — even if nothing was stolen. Your report may assist in ongoing investigations, help police identify crime trends and target resources where they are needed most.
For more theft from auto prevention tips and best practices, visit the BC RCMP website.
Released by:
Cpl. Adriana O'MalleyMedia Relations Officer
Richmond RCMP
11411 No 5 Road, Richmond, BC, V7A 4E8
Office: 604-207-5189
Fax: 604-207-4716
Email:
richmond_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: richmond.rcmp.ca
Follow Us:
- Date modified: