Vancouver Crime Trends and Stats

The Greater Vancouver area is consistently ranked as among the best places to live in the world. The Lower Mainland is renowned for its giant parks, mild temperatures, cultural diversity, shopping, and splendid dining. But was it safer in 2021? Read on to discover what the crime statistics and trends were in Vancouver last year.

Random Attacks on The Rise

Last year, the Vancouver Police Department released some staggering statistics on crime rates in various areas. According to a VPD statement in October, random attacks have increased sharply. From Sept. 1, 2020, through Aug. 31, 2021, police recorded 1,700 incidents. A knife or other weapon was involved in 47 percent of those attacks.

In addition, the VPD found a 550% increase in violent shoplifting cases between January 1 and October 15.
That said, over the first nine months of 2021, there were slightly fewer violent crimes reported to the police than over the same period in 2020 – 4,414 incidents as opposed to 4,429.

Property Crime Is Experiencing a Decrease

Fortunately, there is some good news concerning the crime statistics for property offences. Overall property crime has declined significantly in the past ten years, mostly due to a sharp decrease in thefts from vehicles.

As well as the above, the police board reported the following statistics:

• Last year, there were 174,035 service calls, down from 184,077 in 2020. However, since 2012, the number of calls has increased by 9.4%.
• There was a 12-second improvement in response time last year in comparison with the same period in 2020.
• As reported by ICBC, there were 4,584 traffic injuries and deaths in 2020, compared to 4,968 the following year. Among them, six vehicle fatalities were reported in 2020, and 13 in 2021.
• There were 2,087 times when police had to take someone into custody under the Mental Health Act this year, three more than in 2020.

Sadly, random crime seems to be a major problem in the Lower Mainland lately, and this troubling trend is unlikely to end anytime soon. When it comes to perceptions of crime in Vancouver, many residents fear it is only a matter of time until they will be a victim of crime.

Sound Security Solutions In the Greater Vancouver Area

Don’t become just another crime statistic. The security solutions offered by EX-SERVICEMEN help make the Greater Vancouver area a safer place. We offer a variety of security services, including residential protection, access control, employee safety escort, uniformed security guards, mobile security guards, live remote video monitoring, and much more.

We employ the most qualified security officers through specialized training and a superior selection process. With the most advanced security programs, rest assured you and the ones you care about are in the best hands in the business. Our consultants work closely with you, helping you to make the most informed decisions possible to meet your specific security needs.

Ensure the safety of your staff, customers, and loved ones with our specialized security services.