Gym members across the city are being warned to keep a close eye on their belongings following a spate of thefts from fitness centres in Toronto and the GTA.

The city has seen a rapid upswing in gym locker thefts since the beginning of 2011, said Toronto Police Sgt. Jim Gotell.

"These are consistent thefts," he told ctvtoronto.ca. "We've had about 15 a month in my division alone."

While most of the thefts are minor in nature, there have been cases where expensive items — even vehicles — have been stolen.

In one case, a woman's engagement ring and wedding band were stolen from a Toronto gym locker.

Gotell said the thefts are probably being carried out by several different thieves across the city.

The thieves don't discriminate between large franchises and smaller community gyms, he added.

"Pretty much anything and everything has been hit," he said. "There's no discernible pattern as to where they're going to go."

Police have noticed that in some cases, thieves worked together to pillage fitness centre lockers.

In a technique known as a "distraction theft," one thief will start a conversation with a gym-goer while another thief steals the contents of their locker.

"I think the best thing we can do in light of this is tell the public to be vigilant, to be responsible for themselves," said Gotell.

Police are advising gym members to:

  • Take as few items as possible to the gym

  • Try not to leave expensive items in gym lockers

  • Ensure your gym locker is locked at all times

  • Be aware of your surroundings at all times

During routine workouts, Gotell uses a tiny knapsack to carry his belongings around the gym. His wallet, keys and credit cards are in the knapsack.

Gotell says he's advising others to take similar precautions.

"Remember, a locker is only as good as the lock itself; and some of them aren't that good."

Anyone with information on the current upswing in locker thefts is asked to call police at 416-808-3300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).