‘Lock it or Lose it’ campaign launches in Cambridge

The Waterloo Regional Police Service are reminding residents in Cambridge to lock their vehicles and remove any valuables from inside.

The reminder follows a series of thefts and attempted vehicle break-ins over the last month.

Between June 30 and July 24, police say they’ve investigated 43 different incidents of attempted vehicle theft and entry.

In a news release, officers say they discovered that suspects are targeting vehicles in residential driveways overnight.

Through these investigations, police have found areas in Cambridge with a “higher concentration of incidents”.

• Concession Road area between Eagle Street North and Langs Drive, where nine incidents were reported
• Franklin Boulevard and Winston Boulevard area, where five incidents were reported
• Arthur Fach Drive and Coulthard Boulevard, where five incidents were reported

Officials say that a significant number of vehicles involved in the thefts were left unlocked.

“Taking a few seconds to lock your vehicle, remove valuables, and secure personal information can significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim,” said Staff Sergeant Jay MacSween of the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s South Division Crime Suppression, Analysis, and Response (CSAR) Unit in a news release, adding:

“These incidents highlight how thefts from vehicles are often crimes of opportunity.”

What the campaign brings:

With the increased number of vehicle thefts, Waterloo Regional Police have launched a two-week Lock It or Lose It campaign running from July 30 to August 13, 2026.

During the campaign, members of the South Division CSAR Unit and Waterloo Regional Police Auxiliary members will attend neighbourhoods affected by these incidents to promote crime prevention. Officers and Auxiliary members will distribute educational materials and engage with residents about vehicle security.

Waterloo Regional Police encourage residents to:

• Lock all unoccupied vehicles
• Remove valuables from vehicles or keep them out of sight
• Take wallets, purses, keys, electronics, and identification documents inside
• Never leave bank cards, financial information, or personal identification in a vehicle
• Report suspicious persons or activity in their neighbourhood immediately

Anyone with information related to these incidents is encouraged to call the Waterloo Regional Police Service at 519-570-9777, extension 2207.

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