Manitoba drivers are warned to watch their keys following a rising number of key-related vehicle thefts.

Manitoba Public Insurance launched an awareness campaign Wednesday reminding people to keep their keys in secure areas at all times.

"The message is protect your keys, protect your vehicle," said Attorney General and minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance, Gord Mackintosh.

According to stats provided by MPI, of the 400 vehicles stolen this past spring, 75 per cent of thefts involved the use of keys.

MPI claims data shows key-related thefts in the spring of 2015 increased 11 per cent compared to the spring of 2014.

To increase awareness, MPI is partnering with CAA Manitoba and the Citizens on Patrol Program to remind people about the importance of safeguarding vehicle keys.

Mackintosh said immobilizers have helped reduce auto theft rates and that over the past 10 years, auto thefts in Winnipeg have declined 85 per cent.

MPI's Ward Keith said immobilizers are only effective if thieves don't have access to a vehicle's keys.

"For public safety it's important to eliminate the opportunity for these crimes," said Keith.  "Simple message but very, very important issue."

Detective Cory McKillop with the Winnipeg Police Service's Stolen Auto Unit said thieves are adapting to new vehicles.

He said leaving keys inside or leaving your vehicle running makes it an easy target because of what Det. McKillop describes as an "easy and sought after technique" called 'car hopping' in which thieves try to open doors to several cars in the same area.  

Det. McKillop said, through interviews with car thieves, he's discovered about one in every 10 cars checked by thieves has keys inside. 

With winter right around the corner, CAA Manitoba said vehicles only need a couple minutes to warm up.

"There is no reason to leave your keys in the ignition," said Mike Mager, CAA Manitoba president and CEO,  in a news release. "To reduce warm up time, plug your vehicle in when it's colder than -18 C."

When MPI was asked if that means vehicle owners shouldn't warm up their cars, Keith said they shouldn't leave the vehicle running unattended.

Quick tips

  • Don’t keep your keys anywhere inside your vehicle.
  • Be careful with your keys to avoid losing them, or having them stolen.
  • Don’t leave your vehicle running unattended.
  • Always keep your vehicle locked.