Statistics Canada Report on Police-Reported Criminal Incidents During the Pandemic

Statistics Canada has published a report on police-reported criminal incidents in the first eight months of the pandemic.

It found that "In the first eight months of the pandemic, 19 police services across Canada reported that selected criminal incidents were down by almost one-fifth (18%) compared with the same period a year earlier. In contrast, the number of calls for service, particularly wellness checks, mental health calls and calls to attend domestic disturbances, rose 8%."

Among the highlights:

•  Fewer violent crimes and property crimes were reported to police services during the pandemic compared with the same period a year earlier. There were however increases in uttering threats and assault
• Violent crime and property crime peaked in July
• Calls for service to police increased in the first eight months of the pandemic compared with the same period a year earlier. These are calls related to general well-being checks, mental health-related calls such as responses to a person in emotional crisis or apprehensions under the Mental Health Act, and domestic disturbances

As the agency explains in its notes to the report:

"For this reference period of March to October, 19 police services provided data on a voluntary basis. These police services include the Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service, Kennebecasis Regional Police Force, London Police Service, Montréal Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Ottawa Police Service, Regina Police Service, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, Saskatoon Police Service, Sûreté du Québec, Toronto Police Service, Vancouver Police Department, Victoria Police Department, Waterloo Regional Police Service, Winnipeg Police Service, and York Regional Police."

"Police services that responded to this survey serve more than two-thirds (71%) of the Canadian population. Since the Edmonton Police Service, Montréal Police Service, RCMP, Sûreté du Québec and Winnipeg Police Service were unable to provide data on calls for service, the police services that did provide these data serve one-third (32%) of the Canadian population."

"Selected crime types include the following: assaults; sexual assaults; assaults against a peace or public officer; uttering threats; robbery; dangerous operation causing death or bodily harm, impaired driving or impaired driving causing death or bodily harm; breaking and entering; motor vehicle theft; shoplifting; fraud / identity theft / identity fraud, and; failure to comply with order."