The Vancouver Police Department says the city recorded its lowest-ever Crime Severity Index score in 2025, the lowest since Statistics Canada began tracking the measure in 1998. According to the department, violent crime, property crime and overall crime rates all declined between 2002 and 2025.
The department points to Statistics Canada’s Crime Severity Index as its preferred yardstick, noting the index weights offences by seriousness so that a shoplifting incident is not equated with a violent robbery. VPD says Vancouver’s overall index fell 22.3 per cent over the last 10 years, while the national figure rose 4.2 per cent over the same period.
The non-violent index also hit a record low in 2025, the department reports. VPD says the violent index would have set a record too, but for the Lapu-Lapu festival attack in April 2025, which accounts for 11 second-degree murder charges in the figures.
Looking ahead, VPD acknowledges that overall crime is up so far in 2026 compared with last year. But the department says the most serious offences, including murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, commercial and residential break-and-enter, and auto theft, are decreasing, and it projects all three index categories will fall to record lows through 2026.
Senior Deputy Chief Constable Howard Chow credited proactive policing for the trend, pointing to strategies including Project Barrage in the Downtown Eastside and the creation of a new District 5, along with technology investments. Chow said the progress reflects effective policing and the right strategies, while adding that more work remains to keep residents, businesses and visitors safe.
Source: Vancouver Police Department media release, Oct 8, 2026.
