The 2015 City of Montreal Police Service report reveals varying crime trends in the city.
Here are some of the highlights from the report:
Overall total crime is down from previous year
There were 101,933 Criminal Code infractions in 2015 down from 104,563 or a decrease of 2.5 per cent.
Crime against people rises
Overall, crimes against people rose by 4.5 per cent in 2015, rising to 19,434 from 18,604. While homicides only increased by one from 28 to 29 (3.6 per cent), attempted murders rose from 75 to 111 – a whopping 48 per cent increase. Sexual assaults were also up by 17 per cent as 1,299 offences occurred as opposed to 1,110 the year before. Assault were up 3.7 per cent to 10,246 from 9,876. Robberies also increased slightly, going from 2,806 to 2,829 (0.8 per cent). Other offences were up 4.5 per cent from 18,604 to 19,434.
Crime against property falls
Property crimes as a whole were down by 4.5 per cent as 56,932 crimes were committed, down from 59,627 the previous year. Both auto thefts and break-ins were down in 2015, which is likely a reflection of more and more people installing alarm systems. Vehicle thefts were down a significant 17.6 per cent, dropping to 4,523 from 5,489. Break-ins fell to 9,764 from 10,126, a 3.6 per cent drop. Petty larceny also fell by 7.2 per cent, dropping to 27,642 incidents from 29,773. Meanwhile, possession of stolen goods, fraud and mischief all rose in 2015. Possession of stolen goods from to 505 from 471 – an increase of 7.2 per cent. Fraud cases were up a substantial 11.4 per cent, possibly due to the ongoing corruption scandal in Montreal, rising to 5,790 from 5,196. Mischief rose 1.6 per cent, going from 8,188 incidents to 8,317. Other violations of the Criminal Code, which includes prostitution and firearm offences, were down 8.6 per cent overall, falling to 10,724 incidents from 11,238 the previous year.
