Vehicle theft, break and enters, shoplifting, bike theft, fraud and most forms of criminal activity are on the rise in the Comox Valley.

From Cumberland, Comox Valley RCMP Insp. Tim Walton says police received a 19 per cent increase in calls over the last year.

鈥淲hich is consistent with parts of the Valley,鈥� he told Cumberland council June 12. 鈥淥verall, the Valley increased about 2.7 per cent calls for service.鈥�

He said 鈥渟ome happy exceptions鈥� are assaults, harassments and threats.

鈥淲hich is nice to see in the violent category.鈥�

Across the entire valley, theft from vehicles is 鈥渨ay up.鈥�

鈥淭alking to our crime reduction group, they mentioned five different people that we have our eye on now, stealing from cars,鈥� Walton said.

Common items stolen from unlocked vehicles include wallets, change, keys, cellphones and credit cards. Walton notes the tap feature on credit cards is frequently used by thieves.

鈥淲e have some evidence of groups of people around town doing this.鈥�

For those who don鈥檛 use the feature, he suggests having your bank disable it.

鈥淧lease lock your cars,鈥� he said.

Business break and enters were slightly up in the village, but residential b and e鈥檚 have almost doubled in the past year. Tools are commonly stolen.

Bike theft has increased in the past year across Vancouver Island. Most stolen bikes are unlocked and the serial number unknown.

Walton notes another issue is chronic, high-risk runaways. Police are collaborating with other agencies to reduce the problem.

He implores the public not to be shy when it comes to reporting suspicious activity.

Call the detachment at (250) 338-1321.