Table of contents:
- Top Ten Major Offences Committed in Toronto
- Violent Crimes Against TTC Passengers Also Increasing
- Toronto Crime Rate by Neighbourhood
- How Many Murders Are Committed in Canada Each Year
- Is Toronto Dangerous?
Toronto consistently ranks high in studies that examine the safety of cities. Yet, according to the 2024 Global Liveability Index by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Toronto ranked 12th, falling out of the top 10 for the first time since 2021. The drop is attributed mainly to the city’s ongoing housing crisis, which has impacted its overall score in areas like infrastructure and stability. The top-ranking cities include Vienna (Austria), Copenhagen (Denmark), and Zurich (Switzerland), with Calgary and Vancouver representing Canada in the 5th and 7th positions, respectively
The Index scores 60 of the globe’s largest cities using 76 safety-related metrics, including health and digital, infrastructure, and personal security. From a personal security standpoint, Toronto ranked eighth in the world.
According to a 2024 report by CTV News, Toronto ranks as the safest city in Canada, with a crime rate of 286.9 offences per 100,000 residents, based on 2023 data. This ranking considers crimes like arson, robbery, impaired driving, and burglary. The city outperformed others such as Quebec City, which placed second with 301 offences per 100,000 people, and Ottawa-Gatineau, QC, which ranked third. In a separate ranking considering Crime Severity Index (CSI), Toronto remains among the safer major cities in Canada, further affirming its reputation for safety
Other cities in the top 10 safest include Quebec City, Ottawa-Gatineau (both QC and ON parts), Sherbrooke, Montreal, Barrie, Trois-Rivières, Saguenay, and Hamilton. Quebec City ranks second with 301 offences per 100,000 people, while Ottawa-Gatineau, QC, takes the third spot with 318.8 offences per 100,000 people.
Despite these rankings, crime rates in Toronto are decreasing in 2024, according to Major Crime Indicators statistics tracked by the Toronto Police Service. The statistics show that the 37,320 major crimes investigated by police year to date represent a decrease of 1.3% over the 39,019 reported by this time in 2023. Note that last year’s 39,017 total represented an 19.8% increase over the 32,557 significant crimes reported in 2022.
Top Ten Major Offences Committed in Toronto
Except for homicide, all major crime offences are experiencing an increase in numbers reported by this time last year. As of September (2024), Toronto Police had reported 62 homicides in the city, 8.8% compared to 57 as recorded by this time last year. However, Toronto closed 2023 with 73 reported homicides.
Of the top ten major offences investigated by police, auto theft has experienced the most significant decrease. Year to date, police have investigated 7,045 reported auto thefts, a 21.1% decrease over the 9,190 reported by this time last year. Auto theft also experienced the largest jump of all major crimes in 2023 when reported numbers climbed almost 25% over the number investigated in 2022.
The top ten major offences reported by the Toronto Police Service for the year 2024 to date include:
- Assault — 18,818 (up 5.7%)
- Auto Theft — 7,045 (down 21.3%)
- Breaking and Entering — 5,030 (down 3.6%)
- Robbery — 2,312 (up 5.7%)
- Sexual Violations — 2,630 (up 13.1%)
- Theft Over $5,000 — 979 (down 15.7%)
- Assault with a weapon — 4,489*
- Assault Causing Bodily Harm — 1.001*
- Breaking and Entering with Intent — 1.072*
- Robbery with a Weapon — 988*
Note: Year-over-year change is not available where indicated by *.
Violent Crimes Against TTC Passengers Also Increasing
As of early 2024, the rate of offences against Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) riders decreased by 24% between January 2023 and January 2024, according to the TTC’s latest data
Along with assaults, robbery, theft, mischief, and harassment, the system reported numerous high-profile incidents, including reports of people being shoved onto the tracks, lit on fire, stabbed, swarmed, and shot at with a BB gun.
These facts and figures provide a mixed perspective, showing a recent improvement in safety but also reflecting the challenges faced in 2023 with a notable spike in transit-related violence.
In response to the rise in violence on the TTC, the government has increased security measures by adding 80 Toronto Police officers for 24-hour patrols and deploying 20 community safety ambassadors and 50 security guards throughout the transit system. These efforts aim to enhance rider safety and mitigate violent incidents on public transportation
Toronto Crime Rate by Neighbourhood
According to the Toronto Police Service’s Major Crime Indicators, the West Humber Clairville neighbourhood has experienced the highest number of major crimes year to date, with 1,570 incidents representing a 30.5% increase over last year’s numbers by this time (September, 2024). Woodbine-Lumsden has the fewest year-to-date reports of major crimes, with 50, a 35% decrease over the previous year. Other Toronto neighbourhoods with high numbers of year-to-date reported major crimes include:
- Downtown Yonge East — 705 (+2.5%)
- Moss Park — 695 (+1.5%)
- York University Heights — 690 (+1.2%)
- Yonge-Bay Corridor — 590 (+0.7%)
- Kensington-Chinatown — 560 (+1.8%)
Toronto neighbourhoods experiencing the most significant year-to-date increases in major crimes include:
- Princess-Rosethorn — up 215.3%
- Kingsway South — up 140.7%
- Miliken — up 110.5%
- Bayview Woods-Steeles — up 103.2%
- Banbury-Don Mills — up 90.1%
Certain neighbourhoods have experienced significant increases in major crimes, with some areas like Princess-Rosethorn, Kingsway South, and Miliken showing increases above 100%. Other neighborhoods, such as Bayview Woods-Steeles and Banbury-Don Mills, also report notable increases in crime rates year-to-date.
While there are significant increases in some neighborhoods, other areas are reporting decreases in major crime numbers. These variations reflect diverse trends across different parts of the city, possibly influenced by local conditions, demographic changes, or crime prevention measures.
In summary, Toronto’s crime trends in 2024 reflect an overall mixed picture: while certain areas see increased criminal activity, proactive measures and positive trends in other neighborhoods balance the overall safety landscape of the city.
How Many Murders Are Committed in Canada Each Year:
Statistics Canada (2024) tracks the annual number of homicides committed in the country and within major metropolitan areas. The latest numbers for the country and Toronto are:
- 2023 — 778 (123 in Toronto)
- 2021 — 796 (119 in Toronto)
- 2020 — 764 (105 in Toronto)
- 2019 — 689 (130 in Toronto)
- 2018 — 665 (145 in Toronto)
Is Toronto Dangerous?
The increase in police-reported major crimes suggests that Toronto is becoming more dangerous. Indeed, many reported major crime types both year-to-date and in 2023 are higher than pre-pandemic numbers. However, the increases experienced over the past two years are far more significant than comparing them with pre-pandemic numbers. Thus, the increases can partly be interpreted as a return to pre-pandemic numbers.
From a relative standpoint, when comparing Toronto’s safety to other cities in Canada and beyond, Toronto stands out as exceptionally safe. Based on various reputable sources, Toronto is considered one of the safer cities both within Canada and internationally. According to Statistics Canada (2024), Toronto’s crime severity index (CSI) is lower than many other major Canadian cities, indicating a relatively safer environment. Numbeo’s Safety Index (2024) ranks Toronto favorably for personal security, with its score significantly exceeding the international average and outperforming many global cities in terms of safety.
When compared to over 30 Canadian cities, Toronto’s crime rates and overall safety measures make it a considerably secure city to live in. On an international scale, Toronto ranks higher than 50 major cities worldwide in terms of safety, with a safety score that is at least 10 points higher than many peer cities and roughly 15 points above the global average. These rankings reflect Toronto’s strong infrastructure, effective policing, and community-based safety initiatives that contribute to its overall safety profile.
With extensive working experience with Canadian law, the criminal defence lawyers at Vilkhov Law are dedicated to keeping up to date with the latest information about our area’s crime trends.
If you need legal support or criminal defence services in the Greater Toronto Area, contact Vilkhov Law for a free consultation.
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