The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) today announced that Halton region had the lowest Overall Crime Severity Index (CSI)* when compared to Ontario’s ‘Big 12’ jurisdictions, according to Statistics Canada’s annual report on crime in Canada. The report, entitled, “Police-reported crime statistics in Canada, 2024”, provides a detailed overview of crime statistics as reported by police services across the country.

 According to the data, released on July 22, 2025, and officially presented during this morning’s public meeting of the Halton Police Board, HRPS also: 

  • Had the lowest Violent Crime Severity Index when compared to Ontario’s ‘Big 12’ police services;
  • Had the lowest Non-Violent Crime Severity Index when compared to Ontario’s ‘Big 12’ police services;
  • Maintained the lowest values for each of these three indices for 17 straight reporting years (2008 - 2024) when compared to Ontario’s ‘Big 12’ police services; and
  • Had the lowest overall Crime Rate**, Violent Crime Rate, and Non-Violent Crime Rate amongst Ontario’s ‘Big 12’ police services.

 “While our Service is pleased that Halton region once again recorded the lowest Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime CSI, and Non-Violent Crime CSI overall among the ‘Big 12’ in 2024, we are acutely aware of the profound impacts that serious crimes such as home invasions, auto theft, and guns & gangs have on our community, our province, and on those we serve,” said Stephen J. Tanner, Chief of Police, Halton Regional Police Service. “To address it and to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of citizens at home and beyond, we will continue to deploy considerable resources to these and other priority issues. We will also work closely with our valued partners and all levels of government to increase our success in identifying those committing crimes in our region and elsewhere, and bringing them to justice.”

These efforts are paying off; in the first six months of 2025, overall crime in Halton region is down 11.7% per 100,000 residents. Property crimes (e.g. break and enters and auto theft) have also decreased by a combined 15.9% year over year when adjusted for population growth.

Among the other data released today by the HRPS in its 6-Month Performance Report on crime from January 1 – June 30, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024:

  • A 32% decrease in auto theft, with 254 fewer vehicles stolen (approximately 40 less per month);
  • A 4% reduction in thefts (129 less)
  • 26% fewer break and enters (138 less);
  • A 12.5% decrease in incidents of property crime;
  • 13% less cases of reported frauds; and
  • A 21% reduction in mischief.

While overall violent crime is up 2%, it is down 2% when population growth is factored in.

Also notable in today’s 6-Month Performance Report is a more than 3% year-to-date increase in HRPS’ Weighted Crime Clearance Rate***, from 34.5% to 37.8%, which the Service attributes, in part, to increased personnel and resources, enhanced stakeholder collaboration, and greater community mobilization.

“We are immensely thankful for the ongoing support of the Halton Police Board, our many valued partners, and Halton residents as we work with our frontline and investigative officers to solve crime and make certain that ours remains the safest large municipality in Ontario,” said Chief Tanner.

“Halton’s strong safety record reflects the combined efforts of our residents, police, governments, and community partners. But crime remains too high, and we must not become complacent,” said Jeff Knoll, Chair, Halton Police Board. “Together, we must keep reducing crime, holding offenders accountable, and supporting victims. The Board is committed to ensuring that our Service and community have the resources and resolve to keep Halton a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.”

 

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Definitions 

*Crime Severity Index (CSI) – Measures the severity of police-reported crime from year to year. It factors in changes in the number of a particular crime and the relative seriousness of that crime in comparison to other crimes.

 **Crime Rate – The number of police-reported incidents that have occurred for a given population.

 ***Weighted Clearance Rate – Measures the proportion of reported crimes solved by police, factoring in the seriousness of individual offences, whereby more serious offences are assigned a higher 'weight' than less serious offences.

  

Media Inquiries:

Halton Regional Police Service
Media Relations
Phone: 905-825-4899
Email: corpcomm@haltonpolice.ca