The Surrey RCMP has released the Fourth Quarter (Q4) Crime Stat Report for 2016. You can view the report on the Surrey RCMP website. An overview of significant trends is provided below. Year-to-date, crime has decreased 6% from 2015 (based on total number of criminal code offences).
Violent Crime
- Violent crime continued to decline with a 25% decrease in Q4 and a 16% decrease for the year overall. All areas of violent crime were down in Q4 and in 2016 as a whole including assaults (-13%) and sexual offences (-7%).
- The city saw 3 more homicides in 2016 than it did in 2015 (+38%); arrests have been made in 3 of the 11 files.
- The most significant violent crime decrease for 2016 was in robberies (-37%). This decline is attributed to a number of factors including sentences currently being served by those responsible for a series of cell phone robberies in 2015, and a high clearance rate for bank robberies (charges have been laid in 14 of the 20 bank robberies in 2016).
- The number of shots fired incidents continued to decline in Q4. There were 7 confirmed shots fired investigations in Q4, which is a 30% decrease from Q3 and a 75% decrease from Q1. The total number of incidents in 2016 is 61, which is a 31% decrease from 2015 (88). Surrey RCMP continues their overt and covert enforcement efforts to stop shootings related to drugs. In addition, the Youth Unit, Surrey Gang Enforcement Team (SGET) and Wrap-Around team continue to focus on engagement and intervention with youth to prevent them for becoming involved in the drug trade. The Surrey RCMP Parent Helpline received 74 calls from concerned parents in 2016.
Property Crime
- Overall, there was no change in property crime in 2016, however Q4 did see a 5% increase. The recent increase is attributed to a rise in residential break and enters and theft from auto. Most other property crimes were down in 2016, including business break and enters, fraud, and theft (over/under $5,000).
- The 15% rise in residential break and enters in 2016 can be attributed to a number of prolific offenders, five of which were arrested in the past two months. In October, a news release was sent out to remind the public to secure their doors and windows. Break and enters to vacant homes also continued to be a trend throughout 2016 with 347 occurrences, making up 15% of all residential break and enters.
- Business break and enters decreased by 20% in 2016 and 19% in the last quarter. The Surrey RCMP’s continuing focus on Priority Target Offenders (PTOs) has helped to reduce this crime type and others, with 155 PTOs arrested in 2016.
- While theft of vehicles declined by 5%, theft from vehicles rose 22% in 2016. The Auto Crime Target Team’s “Project Hot Wheels III” ran from September 19-Oct 14 and resulted in 24 arrests, 75 charges being laid, and 187 recovered stolen vehicles. Theft from vehicles is up across the Lower Mainland and has been identified as a regional priority. Surrey RCMP continues to educate the public about the importance of removing valuables from their vehicles through Neighbourhood Safety Meetings, Lock Out Auto Crime audits, Block Watch, and the seasonal “Corporal Crisp” social media campaign.
- The Surrey RCMP continues efforts to lower overall risk for Surrey’s vulnerable populations – including those who are homeless and dealing with drug addictions. The Surrey Mobilization and Resiliency Table assessed over 100 cases in its first year and connected many individuals to services to lower their overall risk of harm. In addition, the new Surrey Outreach Team is working with partners to address public safety, healthy and quality of life issues of those living on 135A Street. Over the long term, both of these initiatives are intended to lower violent and property related crimes.
View the full Fourth Quarter Crime Stat Report