Each winter, the EPS sees an increase in thefts linked to vehicles left idling to warm up, often with the keys left inside. This is a preventable crime of opportunity.
“We understand people are busy and cold, and it feels harmless to leave a vehicle running while you go back into your home, or grab a coffee, or run into a store,” said Staff Sergeant Travis Kerr with the EPS Targeted Response to Auto-Theft Prevention (TRAP) team. “Unfortunately, that’s exactly when these thefts happen. They’re crimes of opportunity that take seconds, not minutes, and many of them are completely preventable.”
The EPS TRAP team is a specialized unit within the EPS focused specifically on combating vehicle theft and related crimes in Edmonton.
This past year, the team has seen a slight decrease in the theft and recovery of stolen vehicles in the city. There were 4,233 vehicle thefts and 1,466 recovered stolen vehicles in 2025 compared to 4,814 vehicle theft and 1,675 recovered stolen vehicles in 2024.
With that in mind, EPS is sharing safety tips to help Edmontonians keep their vehicles safe.
How to protect your vehicle this winter:
- Never leave your vehicle running and unattended, even in your driveway.
- Take your keys with you and always lock your vehicle.
- Use a remote starter, if available
- Park in well-lit areas whenever possible.
- Ensure windows and doors are closed and locked.
“Your vehicle can be one of the largest purchases you make, so protecting it is important,” said Staff Sgt. Kerr. “Stolen vehicles are often used in other crimes and can pose a safety risk to the public, not to mention the stress and inconvenience of losing your vehicle.”
Operation Cold Start runs throughout the winter months and focuses on education, awareness, and prevention to help curb vehicle theft in the city.
Learn more about how you can protect yourself from auto theft by visiting: https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/CrimePrevention/HomePropertySafety/AutoTheft