Bait cars reduce Island car thefts

Police in Victoria and Nanaimo say a bait-car program launched earlier this year has been a big success in driving down auto theft.

Vancouver's successful bait-car program was expanded to Vancouver Island in April. And after six months, police say the number of stolen vehicles in their communities has dropped dramatically.

"Victoria has had an overall reduction in auto theft over the last six months when compared to the identical six months from 2004, of 41 per cent," says Sergeant Keith Lewis of Victoria police.

• LINK: BAITCAR.COM

The bait cars are equipped so police can pinpoint their location, and they can kill the engine by remote control.

The vehicles' video cameras are activated when a door is opened, providing important evidence.

So far, the Vancouver Island bait-car program has produced a conviction rate of 100 per cent.

Police say most car thieves on Vancouver Island are adult men, addicted to drugs.