Key Takeaways:
- Recent increases in major crime reports in Toronto partly reflect a return to, or a slight rise above, pre-pandemic crime levels rather than an unprecedented spike.
- Toronto’s Safety Index score of 56.6 (2025, Numbeo) is slightly above the global average, indicating a relatively safe urban environment.
- Compared to other major Canadian cities, Toronto has a lower Crime Severity Index (CSI), reinforcing its position as one of the safer large cities in Canada.
- The city’s safety benefits from strong policing, community initiatives, and solid infrastructure.
- Despite some challenges, Toronto remains a secure place to live, work, and visit.
- Vilkhov Law offers up-to-date criminal defence services informed by current crime trends for those needing legal support in the Greater Toronto.
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?
- Safety Measures and City Initiatives
Toronto consistently ranks high in studies that examine the safety of cities. Yet, according to the 2024 Safe Cities Index by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Toronto ranked 6th, making it the safest large metropolitan city in North America. This represents a significant improvement from its 12th-place ranking in the 2024 Global Liveability Index, where it had fallen out of the top 10 for the first time since 2021. The drop in that index was attributed mainly to the city’s ongoing housing crisis, which impacted its infrastructure and stability score. In contrast, the Safe Cities Index focused specifically on safety-related metrics, where Toronto performed strongly. The top-ranking cities included Vienna (Austria), Copenhagen (Denmark), and Zurich (Switzerland), with Calgary and Vancouver representing Canada in the 5th and 7th positions, respectively.
The Safe Cities Index scores 60 of the world’s largest cities using 76 safety-related indicators, including health, digital security, infrastructure, and personal safety. From a personal security standpoint, Toronto ranked 8th globally, reinforcing its reputation as a relatively secure urban centre.
According to a 2024 report by the Fraser Institute, Toronto continues to rank as one of the safest major cities in Canada, with a Crime Severity Index (CSI) significantly lower than the national average. Based on 2023 data, Toronto’s CSI was 59.3, well below cities like Winnipeg (126.9) and Edmonton (114.9).
Source: Statistics Canada – Police-reported crime statistics, 2023
Looking at crime rates per capita, Toronto had 2,977 police-reported Criminal Code incidents per 100,000 population in 2023, which is significantly lower than the Canadian national average of 5,668. This ranking considers crimes such as robbery, assault, impaired driving, and break-ins. The city outperformed others such as Montreal (5,074 per 100,000) and Vancouver (7,545 per 100,000).
Source: Statistics Canada – Table 35-10-0177-01
Other cities ranking among the safest in Canada by per-capita crime rate and CSI include Quebec City, Ottawa-Gatineau (QC and ON), Sherbrooke, Barrie, Trois-Rivières, Saguenay, and Hamilton.
Source: canadacrime.ca – Canadian Cities by Crime Rate 2024
Despite occasional fluctuations in major crime categories, Toronto’s crime rates declined in 2024. According to the Toronto Police Service:
- The number of major crimes in 2024 was 50,836, a decrease of 3.5% compared to 52,672 incidents in 2023.
- However, homicides increased to 86 in 2024, up from 73 in 2023.
- Assaults reached a record high of 25,819, up from 24,414 in 2023.
- Sexual violations rose to 3,570 in 2024, compared to 2,630 in 2023.
- Auto thefts fell by 20%, thanks in part to the formation of the Carjacking Investigative Team by Toronto Police in early 2024.
Source: TPS News Release – April 2024
Additionally, a report from the Fraser Institute found that Toronto’s property crime rate is 40% higher than New York City’s, largely due to the prevalence of car theft and break-ins.
Nonetheless, the overall Safety Index for Toronto in 2025 stands at 56.6, while its Crime Index is 43.4, confirming its place among Canada’s safest large cities.
For the most up-to-date local statistics, visit the Toronto Police Major Crime Indicators dashboard.
Top Ten Major Offences Committed in Toronto
As of December 2024, Toronto Police reported 84 homicides in the city, marking a 15% increase compared to the 73 recorded in 2023.
Of the top ten major offences investigated by police, auto theft has experienced a significant decrease. Year to date, police have investigated 3,102 reported auto thefts, a 25% decrease over the 4,136 reported in 2023.
The top ten major offences reported by the Toronto Police Service for the year 2024 include:
- Assault — 21,400 (up 15%)
- Auto Theft — 3,102 (down 25%)
- Breaking and Entering — 5,030 (data not specified)
- Robbery — 2,312 (up 21%)
- Sexual Violations — 2,630 (up 17%)
- Theft Over $5,000 — 979 (data not specified)
- Assault with a Weapon — 4,489 (data not specified)
- Assault Causing Bodily Harm — 1,001 (data not specified)
- Breaking and Entering with Intent — 1,072 (data not specified)
- Robbery with a Weapon — 988 (data not specified)
” Understanding the nuances of Toronto’s evolving crime landscape is crucial for both residents and legal professionals. At Vilkhov Law, we are committed to providing informed legal counsel that reflects the city’s dynamic safety environment.”
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 neighbourhoods, 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 neighbourhoods, 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 neighbourhoods 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?
While recent police-reported major crime numbers have shown increases compared to previous years, it’s important to consider these changes in context. Crime rates have risen since the pandemic, but some of this can be seen as a return to or slight increase above pre-pandemic levels rather than an unprecedented surge.
From a broader perspective, Toronto remains one of the safer major cities in Canada and globally. According to Numbeo’s 2025 Safety Index, Toronto scores 56.6, slightly above the global average of 56.1. This suggests that Toronto offers a relatively safe environment, comparable to many other large urban centers worldwide.
Additionally, Statistics Canada’s Crime Severity Index (CSI) shows that Toronto’s crime severity is lower than that of several other major Canadian cities, underscoring its relative safety within the national context.
Despite some challenges, Toronto’s safety is supported by effective law enforcement, community initiatives, and robust infrastructure, all contributing to maintaining a secure living environment.
If you need legal support or criminal defence services in the Greater Toronto Area, the experienced lawyers at Vilkhov Law stay informed on the latest crime trends to provide up-to-date and reliable assistance. Contact Vilkhov Law for a free consultation.
Safety Measures and City Initiatives
The City of Toronto, in collaboration with the Toronto Police Service, has implemented various measures to enhance public safety and reduce crime rates. These initiatives include increased police patrols in high-crime areas, advanced surveillance technologies such as CCTV cameras and ShotSpotter gunfire detection systems, and community outreach programs to foster trust between law enforcement and residents. Additionally, the city supports youth engagement and violence prevention programs designed to address the root causes of crime. Together, these efforts contribute to creating a safer environment for all Torontonians.
Service Areas
Criminal Lawyers Etobicoke
Criminal Lawyers Scarborough
Criminal Lawyers Newmarket
Criminal Lawyers Brampton
Criminal Lawyers Mississauga
Criminal Lawyer Barrie
Criminal Lawyer Richmond Hill
Criminal Lawyer Vaughan
Criminal Lawyers in Innisfil
