Surge in violent carjackings in GTA prompts Toronto police, OPP to launch new joint task force
![toronto police A Toronto Police Services logo is shown at headquarters, in Toronto, on Friday, August 9, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/4/11/toronto-police-1-6351097-1681242604923.jpg)
A rise in violent carjackings in the Greater Toronto Area has prompted Toronto police and Ontario Provincial Police to launch a new joint task force to address the "new and evolving public safety threat."
In a news release issued Monday, Toronto police said the Provincial Carjacking Joint Task Force (PCJTF), which will be co-led by Toronto police and the OPP, will include police services from around the Greater Toronto Area, including York Regional Police, the Halton Regional Police Service, Peel police, and the Durham Regional Police Service. External agencies, including the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario (CISO), will also be involved.
“The violence associated with auto thefts in Toronto and across the GTA is a concerning trend, and can be incredibly traumatic for victims and their loved ones,” Supt. Steve Watts, of the Toronto Police Service’s Organized Crime Enforcement Unit, said in a written statement.
He added that the Toronto Police Service is “working around the clock” with policing partners to address the situation.
According to police, the purpose of the new task force is to “disrupt” the networks in the region that are carrying out “high-risk auto thefts,” which police say now increasingly involve “violence, firearms, and other weapons.”
“The PCJTF will be notified of violent auto crime occurrences taking place in each jurisdiction, which will then be investigated collaboratively by the respective service and the PCJTF,” the news release read.
The task force is being funded by participating police agencies, the CISO, and through funding provided by the provincial government.
Toronto police said the number of violent auto crimes occurring in Ontario has increased in recent years, with more than 300 carjackings in the GTA so far this year. Police said more than 200 of those incidents occurred in Toronto.
Police said car thieves are often shipping stolen vehicles overseas to be resold or altering vehicle identification numbers (VINs) to resell them domestically.
Ontario Provincial Police Superintendent Paul Mackey, of the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, said the joint task force will use a “collaborative and intelligence-led approach” to apprehend perpetrators.
“Carjackings are a serious public safety issue, which have resulted in assault and even homicides. To evade police, thieves may drive dangerously and recklessly, putting the lives of pedestrians, other motorists and police in danger,” Mackey said in a written statement.
“The OPP and partners will investigate and hold anyone who is involved in violent auto theft accountable.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have burned in a wildfire.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip flops amid soaring temperatures in Death Valley
A tourist was hospitalized after suffering serious burns on his feet on Saturday when he lost his flip flops at a U.S. national park where temperatures soared past 48 Celsius.
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
Former judge with disputed Cree heritage likely has Indigenous DNA: law society
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Australian field hockey player opts to amputate part of his finger in order to compete in Paris Olympics
In the run up to the Paris Olympics, athletes have been stepping up their preparations in order to maintain their edge over competitors. But for Australia’s Matt Dawson, those preparations looked a little different this year, with the field hockey player opting to have part of his finger amputated in order to compete in the Games.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.