Ottawa residents are being urged to lock their vehicles and remove valuables after reported thefts from vehicles rose 35%, with most incidents occurring in the city’s west and south districts.
The Ottawa Police Service said in an October 6 release that it recorded 1,140 thefts from vehicles between July 1 and September 30, 2026. That compares with 844 reports during the same period last year.
The increase concerns belongings stolen from inside vehicles, rather than theft of the vehicles themselves. Police said overall vehicle thefts in Ottawa have declined.
Many reported incidents involved suspects trying door handles and getting into vehicles that had been left unlocked, according to police. Items commonly taken include wallets, credit cards, cash, sunglasses and tools, along with other valuables left inside.
Police also reported cases in which garage door openers taken from vehicles were subsequently used to enter homes. Their warning therefore extends beyond the loss of belongings kept in a vehicle.
West District Inspector Ian Hayes said in the release that locking vehicles and taking valuables out can reduce the risk of theft. He also asked residents to watch for suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods and report it.
How to report suspicious activity
Residents who see suspicious activity can contact the Ottawa Police Service at 613-236-1222. Anyone witnessing a crime in progress should call 9-1-1.
Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or through an online tip.
Police also pointed residents to their Community Safety Data portal at data.ottawapolice.ca, where the public can view, download and explore information released by the service.
Residents can register their contact information and security camera locations through CAMSafe.ca to help police investigations.
