Violent crime in Surrey is at lowest level in a decade: RCMP
According to Surrey RCMP, violent crime in the city has been on a decline — and is currently at the lowest level it’s been in 10 years.
The recently released Surrey Crime Profile, which details statistics on crime in the city over the past 10 years, indicates violent crime has been decreasing between 2009 and 2018.
“The information we are able to derive from the statistical data is very encouraging,” says Assistant Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, Surrey RCMP Officer in Charge.
“The violent crime rate has been trending down over the past 10 years, and in 2018 it was the lowest it has been in the last decade.”
In terms of numbers — the overall crime rate in 2018 for violent offences was down to 1,047 compared to 1,049 in 2017, and compared to the 10-year average of 1,358.
The results are based on data submitted to Statistics Canada following Uniform Crime Reporting scoring rules and guidelines.
According to these guidelines, only the most serious offence per file is counted.
The violent crime severity index rate was also the lowest it had been in the last decade, decreasing from 98.2 in 2017 to 89.5 in 2018.
According to the RCMP, the crime severity index has been trending downward for the last decade, aside from an upswing in 2015.
The non-violent crime severity index has also been trending downward over the last decade.
In terms of total criminal code offences, there were 5,946 total incidents of violent crime in 2018, as compared to 5,819 in 2017 — but this was still lower than the 10 year average of 6,865.
McDonald says the community still has a way to go.
“Although our crime rate continues to decrease in Surrey, I want to acknowledge the impact that crime – particularly violent crime – has on our community. Being a victim of crime or experiencing a crime in your neighbourhood has a significant impact on how you feel and your perception of crime,” says McDonald.
“Collectively, we still have work to do in improving public safety and, as your local police force, we will continue our efforts through prevention, intervention, and enforcement.”
There were 15 homicides in Surrey last year, which is a slight increase from the 10-year average of 14, and a 25% increase from 2017.
Further, while rates of attempted murder were down to 12 in 2018 compared to the 10-year average of 19, the total sexual assault offences in Surrey increased to 251 in 2018 — higher than the 10-year average of 231.
Total instances of assault, firearms use and discharge, robbery, and criminal harassment were all lower than average in 2018, while instances of sexual violations against children, assault on a peace officer, and abduction, confinement, kidnapping increased in 2018 in comparison to the 10-year average.
The full crime profile is available on the Surrey RCMP website.
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