A spike in automobile thefts and thefts of personal belongings in vehicles over the last several months in Kindersley, Kerrobert, and Eston have the RCMP asking residents to make sure their vehicle doors are locked.

A varierty of vehicles have been targets during the increase in automobile break-ins, all from cars to trucks. The thefts have taken place in different locations throughout the community as well. One of the latest reported break-ins was at the Golf View Mobile Acres Trailer Park in Kindersley, where a wallet and black backpack were stolen.

"We would like to remind everyone to make sure they lock their vehicles when they are not around them, and not keep the keys in the vehicles." said Megan Mochoruk of the Kindersley RCMP.

A great tactic in making sure your vehicle is less of a threat to vehicle theft is taking security measures as well, which include anything from steering wheel bar locks to an alarm system.

RCMP are also asking residents to not keep values in sight so to deter thieves from breaking into the vehicle. "It's out of sight, out of mind," said Mochoruk. "These things can include, but may not be limited to, money, identification pieces, purses, electronics, etc."

Criminals may have multiple reasons for stealing a motor vehicle; from needing the vehicle to get somewhere, otherwise known as "joyriding", wanting to sell for parts or using the vehicle to commit another crime.

Automobile thefts cost Canadians nearly $1 billion a year.