Car thieves are on a tear in Calgary, say police, who have issued a public warning about the number of vehicles being stolen in recent months.

Police report that between Sept. 1 and Nov. 16, 1,271 vehicles were stolen in Calgary, including cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs and tractor-trailers.

The thefts are often the result of keys left in the ignition, glove box, or other areas of the vehicle, say investigators.

The most popular target has been older-model Honda Civics — matching the result found in a national survey on car theft released this week — followed by GMC trucks, Ford trucks, Chevrolet trucks, Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyagers, Dodge trucks, Dodge/Plymouth Neons, Honda Accords, Jeep Cherokees, Chevrolet Cavaliers and Oldsmobile Cutlasses.

Police are reminding drivers to take some basic anti-theft steps:
- Do not leave a vehicle running with the keys in it, even with the doors locked.
- Always close the windows, lock the doors and pocket the key.
- Park in well-lit and well-traveled areas.
- Hide valuables out of sight or take them with you.
- Use auto theft measures such as a steering wheel lock, a vehicle immobilizer system or alarm system.
- Report suspicious activity. If you see suspicious people in or around motor vehicles, call the police.