Toronto Police reported 9,606 vehicle thefts last year, almost double the number from the previous seven years.

According to the insurance industry group Equite Association, vehicle thefts climbed almost 48% last year over 2021.

The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council says about one-third of private car sales are by so-called ”curbsiders,” that refers to unregistered vendors who often trade in stolen vehicles.

OMVIC says buyers may have access to its compensation fund for fraud victims, if they bought a vehicle thrown an OMVIC registered dealer and turns out it was stolen.

Police will be working more closely now with the motor vehicle industry.

Toronto Crime Stoppers says the public has a responsibility to report anything they know about illegal curbside sales.