Ottawa sees drop in vehicle thefts in 2024: A look at auto thefts by the numbers

A police vehicle sits outside the Ottawa Police headquarters on Elgin St. in this undated photo. (CTV News Ottawa)

There was an average of four vehicle thefts a day reported in Ottawa in 2024, but new data shows a drop in the number of vehicle thefts reported to police.

The Ottawa Police Service’s statistics show 1,645 auto thefts were reported in Ottawa last year, with a total of 1,705 vehicles stolen. Vehicle thefts include joy rides, opportunistic thefts and “single-use crimes.”

Police say 951 stolen vehicles were recovered in 2024.

Gloucester-Southgate was the hotspot for vehicle thefts last year, with 164 vehicles stolen. Bay ward was second with 111 vehicle thefts, followed by 88 stolen vehicles in Rideau-Vanier.

The Ottawa Police Services' 2023 annual report showed 1,854 vehicles were reported stolen in 2023. “Of them, 51 per cent were recovered,” the report said. In 2023, 188 individuals were charged in relation to vehicle thefts.

There were 934 auto theft incidents reported in Ottawa in 2018.

The Ottawa Police Service is set to receive a new tool to help address vehicle thefts. The Ontario government has announced a new Ontario Provincial Police helicopter will be stationed in Ottawa to help address auto thefts and stunt driving.

“This new helicopter is a game changer for our operational capabilities and it’s an exciting step forward for all of us,” Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs told reporters on July 29.

Top 6 wards for vehicle thefts in Ottawa in 2024

• Gloucester-Southgate – 164 vehicle thefts
• Bay Ward – 111 vehicle thefts
• Rideau-Vanier – 88 vehicle thefts
• River – 87 vehicle thefts
• Somerset – 85 vehicle thefts
• Orléans South-Navan – 85

Neighbourhood hot spots for auto thefts in 2024

• New Barrhaven: 78
• Orléans South-Notting Gate: 70
• Centretown: 64
• Riverside South-Leitrim: 52
• Overbrook-McArthur: 50
• Cummings: 45
• East Industrial: 39
• Ledbury-Heron Gate-Ridgemont: 38
• Whitehaven-Queensway Terrace: 37
• Orléans Chapel Hill South: 35
• Bayshore: 33
• Kanata Lakes – Marchwood-Lakeside: 32

Ottawa vehicle thefts by vehicle make in 2024

• Toyota: 442 vehicles
• Honda: 132 vehicles
• Ford: 125 vehicles
• Jeep: 100 vehicles
• Hyundai: 91 vehicles
• RAM Trucks: 76 vehicles

Motor vehicle thefts by days of the week in 2024

• Sunday: 215 vehicles
• Monday: 281 vehicles
• Tuesday: 264 vehicles
• Wednesday: 251 vehicles
• Thursday: 240 vehicles
• Friday: 229 vehicles
• Saturday: 165 vehicles

Motor vehicle thefts by month

• January: 172
• February: 164
• March: 142
• April: 142
• May: 113
• June: 106
• July: 130
• August: 121
• September: 112
• October: 158
• November: 140
• December: 145