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<\/p>\nCar thefts are down in Mississauga and Brampton, and Peel\u2019s police chief wants to keep the numbers going in that direction.<\/p>\n
The number of auto thefts has decreased from 3,089 (Jan. 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025) to 2,790 during the same six-month period in 2026, Peel Regional Police numbers show.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have made significant steps in addressing the ongoing threat of auto theft in our communities, and it\u2019s critical that we keep our foot on the gas,\u201d Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said Monday. \u201cWith proper resourcing, we can continue to mobilize specialized teams to pursue complex investigations and dismantle the criminal networks operating across the region and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duraiappah\u2019s comments came as he and other Peel officials hosted Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner Monday morning at police headquarters in Mississauga.<\/p>\n
Kerzner was in town to announce additional provincial funding for Peel Regional Police and other law enforcement agencies across Ontario in the battle against auto theft.<\/p>\n
\u201cAuto theft is down across Ontario because our government is making it a priority and is giving police the tools and resources they need to go after the organized criminals who are behind it,\u201d said Kerzner. \u201cWhile we are seeing real progress, we will not let up. That is why we are doubling down, further investing in our police services and supporting their work to disrupt criminal networks and protect Ontario families and communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Government officials said in a news release that since providing $51 million over the past three years to support initiatives like the Preventing Auto Thefts Grant Program, the Provincial Auto Theft and Towing Team, and the Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team, \u201cmotor vehicle theft is declining in Ontario.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to \u00c9quit\u00e9 Association\u2019s 2025 auto trend report, vehicle thefts in Ontario declined in 2025 to 19,319, compared to a peak of 30,134 in 2023, a reduction of 36 per cent.<\/p>\n
\u00c9quit\u00e9 Association is a Canadian not-for-profit group that works to reduce and prevent insurance fraud and crime.<\/p>\n
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Kerzner announced Monday morning the province is providing an additional $6 million via the 2026-27 Preventing Auto Thefts Grant Program to 22 police projects in Ontario.<\/p>\n
Included in that amount is $300,000 for Peel police \u201cto strengthen their Commercial Auto Crime Bureau, which supports dedicated investigators, specialized training, public education initiatives, advanced investigative equipment and participation in provincial auto-theft summits and intelligence-sharing forums,\u201d the province said in Monday\u2019s news release.<\/p>\n
Since 2023, Peel police have received\u00a0$1.2 million in funding through the Preventing Auto Thefts Grant Program.<\/p>\n
Duraiappah thanked the provincial government \u201cfor supporting our efforts to protect our communities, recover stolen vehicles and hold offenders accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mississauga-Streetsville MPP Nina Tangri, also on hand Monday at police headquarters, noted the province\u2019s support of police forces in battling car thefts is a top priority and keeps \u201cfamilies and communities safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tangri added the $300,000 \u201cwill give Peel Regional Police additional tools and resources to combat auto theft, strengthen investigations and disrupt organized crime.\u201d<\/p>\n
Statistics revealed Monday also show 8,796 vehicles were stolen in the province in the first half of 2026, compared to 9,601 during the same period last year.<\/p>\n