Project ATTIRE Results and Auto Theft Awareness Campaign

Auto theft has become a significant issue in Durham Region, the GTA, and across the province over the last few years. In Durham Region alone, there has been a 100 per cent increase in vehicle theft from 2021-2023. In December 2023, DRPS created a separate unit dedicated to auto theft and called it Project Attire in an effort to address this issue.

This project, in collaboration with Équité Association, focuses strictly on auto theft investigations and recovery. These investments made by the Ontario provincial government have had an impact. So far in 2024, we have seen an eight per cent decrease in auto thefts and more than 50 per cent of stolen vehicles have been recovered.

In just one year, the Project Attire team has conducted 865 auto theft investigations, and laid 341 charges against 81 individuals. DRPS is seeing a concerning pattern: Many of those responsible for these thefts are already out on bail or are under specific probation conditions set by the court for a previous crime. This situation highlights a troubling issue of recidivism — the tendency of individuals to reoffend after having been arrested or convicted for prior crimes. Since January 2023, approximately 25 per cent of those charged with vehicle theft were also charged with failing to comply with a release order or breaching probation.

In an effort to raise awareness about auto theft, DRPS is excited to announce that a newly wrapped Durham Region Transit bus will be traveling throughout the Region, displaying important information about auto theft. This bus will direct the public to a page on our website drps.ca/autotheft where there are additional tips and resources to help safeguard your vehicle.

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