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Police are reminding the public to watch their belongings after officers continue to see a trend in the theft of unattended personal items.

Police are continuing to see incidents of thieves preying on those who are not keeping a close eye on their property, including wallets, purses, cell phones and bicycles.

Thefts of wallets, purses and cell phones can happen in the blink of an eye if owners leave items unattended in coffee shops, outdoor patios, parks and on our beaches.

So far this year, Vancouver Police have seen 2,689 thefts in the city where property was taken as a result of an inattentive owner. Although a 14% reduction from the 3,132 incidents reported over the same time period last year, many of these thefts can still be prevented.

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Bicycle thefts have risen, up 20% in 2015, compared to the same time last year. So far this year, we have had 1,053 bicycle thefts reported to police in Vancouver, compared to 879 incidents reported over the same time period in 2014.

“Many of these thefts are preventable,” says VPD spokesperson, Sergeant Randy Fincham. “If you’re not watching your property, who is?”

Who’s watching it…when you’re not? If you’re not watching your personal property, a thief might be.

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Crime prevention tips for yourself, your business, your home or your bike