Police are upping the ante in their ongoing battle with car thieves. In addition to bait cars, they are now using bait property.

"Bait property will look no different than any other property thieves may find in vehicles, and may range from tool boxes to a gym bag. The difference is it can be tracked and monitored by police," RCMP Staff Sgt. Peter Thiessen said in a press release.

Since the bait car program, run by the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT), began operating in 2003, auto theft in B.C. is down 73 per cent.

In the last four months of 2012, police across B.C. have noticed a slight increase in thefts from vehicles.

Items most often stolen from vehicles include: smartphones, personal electronics, such as laptops, work tools, credit cards and ID, stereo equipment, cash and change, car parts, garage door openers, sunglasses and keys.

Figures released in 2011 show the Ford F-Series is the most popular vehicle among thieves in the southern Interior.

Others in the top five are Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra, Honda Civic, Chrysler (Dodge/Plymouth) Ram, and Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee.