REGINA - Crime may be coming down in Saskatchewan but in areas serviced by the RCMP, it remains high.
Saskatchewan RCMP released their overview of the annual crime statistics and yearly trends, in conjunction with the release from Statistics Canada of the Crime Severity Index numbers for 2024. In those StatsCan numbers, Saskatchewan reported a CSI of 153.9, down five per cent from last year, and a crime rate of 12,601 per 100,000.
But while Saskatchewan’s overall CSI has come down, the numbers in those areas of Saskatchewan under RCMP jurisdiction are going up. Those parts of the province not under RCMP jurisdiction would include those places served by other police forces in Saskatchewan, such as the municipal forces in Saskatoon and Regina.
According to their overview of the annual crime statistics and yearly trends, RCMP F Division is reporting that in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction, “crime rates have remained high and are continuing to increase. An overall provincial downward trend in crime rate has been noted - however, this is the result of crime rates decreasing for other Saskatchewan police services.”
It was noted Saskatchewan RCMP police under half of the Saskatchewan population, yet almost two thirds of the Criminal Code violations were responded to and investigated by RCMP officers. RCMP report that in 2024, 62 per cent of the total Criminal Code violations were in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction, as well as 66 per cent of the total violent crime.
Here is some of what the Saskatchewan RCMP is reporting:
Violent crime still on the rise
The RCMP is reporting 21,907 instances of violent crime in 2024, up 603 from 2023 and the continuation of a decade-long increase. Violent crime is up 45 per cent in the last decade.
Saskatchewan RCMP points to approximately 6,700 more victims of reported violent crime than 10 years ago. Saskatchewan RCMP data also indicates that not only are there more victims of violent crime, but they are experiencing more severe forms of violence.
They report that in 2024, assault offences accounted for 62 per cent, and harassment or uttering threats were 25 per cent of total violent crime in the Saskatchewan RCMP’s jurisdiction.
Violent Crime Assaults are up
RCMP are also reporting violent crime assaults are also up. There were 13,653 assaults in 2024, up from 2023 and again a steady increase over the last decade.
Assault offences have increased 32 per cent in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction since 2015, the majority of which are Common Assault - situations when someone is grabbed, pushed, shoved, slapped, punched or kicked.
But they are also pointing to an increase in more severe forms of assault such as Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm and Aggravated Assault. Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm offences have increased 73 per cent in their jurisdiction in the last decade, and Aggravated Assault offences have increased 43 per cent.
Interpersonal violence trending upwards
Instances of interpersonal violence continue an upward trend over the past five years. In 2024 there were 9063 instances of intimate partner and family violence, 6,635 instances of community violence and 1874 unknown. The grand total is up from 2020, with overall Intimate Partner and Family Violence offences having increased four per cent in the last five years.
It was noted that in 2024, half of the violent crime in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction was attributed to Intimate Partner or Family Violence.
The North District accounted for 54 per cent of the total victims of Intimate Partner and Family Violence compared to 26 per cent for Central and 20 per cent for South.
Homicide trending up
Saskatchewan RCMP report that over the last decade, Homicide including First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, and Manslaughter have gone up.
In 2024 there were 41 homicides overall, an increase of 46 per cent over the last decade.
From 2015 to 2024, there were 288 homicide investigations with a total of 311 victims of homicide - of these, 49 per cent were in North District, 33 per cent in Central District, and 18 per cent in South District. Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes unit laid charges in 84 per cent of these investigations, charging 341 people with either First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, or Manslaughter.
In the last five years from 2020 to 2024, 45 per cent of those charged with homicide were on conditions, bail, parole, or probation at the time the homicide was committed.
Assaults on police officers continues to rise
A steady rise in assaults on police officers continued in 2024.
Saskatchewan RCMP report 553 instances in 2024, up from 512 in 2023 and a high for the past decade. Over the past ten years overall Saskatchewan RCMP Assault on Police Officer offences have increased 87 per cent.
Violent firearm offences triple in past decade
Saskatchewan RCMP is reporting 493 violent firearms offences in 2024, down three from 2023 but still was up from the 140 reported in 2015.
What’s more, the Saskatchewan RCMP is reporting the highest rate of firearm offences in the country.
Property crime is up
RCMP are reporting a total 48,977 instances of property crime in their jurisdiction in 2024, up from 46,692 a year earlier. They also are reporting almost 9,000 more property crimes per year than they were 10 years ago, up from 40,017.
Mischief and motor vehicle theft up
RCMP is also reporting mischief offences increased 36 per cent in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction in the past decade.
As well, from 2015 to 2024, Motor Vehicle Theft has increased one per cent in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction, with the most commonly stolen vehicles being trucks.
