Lethbridge achieves first place position on the latest Stats-Can Crime Index

Jul 22, 2019 | 1:31 PM

OTTAWA –– It’s a first place posting that is nothing to brag about. Lethbridge holds the unenviable top ranking in the Statistics Canada 2018 Crime Index.

Following right behind Lethbridge was Regina in second place, Winnipeg was third, followed by Saskatoon at fourth place and Edmonton rounded out the top five.

2018 Crime stats

The statistics show there were more than two-million incidents of crime reported to police departments across the country last year, for a two per cent increase over 2017.

The national crime rate peaked in 1991 and had been in dramatic decline, falling by more than 50 per cent, until 2014. However, since 2014, it has risen just over eight per cent.

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The homicide rate reversed an upward trend over the past few years by declining four per cent. The latest report on crime shows police reported 651 homicides in 2018, down 15 from 2017.

There were fewer homicides reported in Alberta, B-C, Quebec and Nova Scotia while Ontario saw 69 more homicides, partly because of three serious incidents in Toronto.

The severity of crime also rose by two per cent, according to the agency’s statistical formula.

The increase was pushed up by more cases of fraud, sexual assault, shoplifting and other thefts. While there were fewer break-ins and robberies.

The Statistics are based on data from Canadian police forces but, doesn’t include crimes that weren’t reported to police.

by Dori Modney with files from Statistics Canada