BLOG POST
May 10, 2025 | Winnipeg Crime Trends & Public Safety
Crime Index Down in Winnipeg — But Concerns Remain
There’s some cautiously optimistic news out of Winnipeg this week. According to the Winnipeg Police Service’s (WPS) annual report, the city’s violent crime severity index dropped for the first time in over a decade — a meaningful shift after years of troubling trends. But while the data is heading in the right direction, many Winnipeggers may still not feel any safer. Let’s unpack what the numbers mean, what’s improving, and where challenges remain.
A Drop, But Still Too High
In 2024, Winnipeg’s violent crime severity index fell to 203.7, down five per cent from 2023’s peak of 214.4. This is significant — not just because it’s the first real decline in over ten years, but because violent crime has stubbornly remained one of Winnipeg’s most pressing public safety issues. Still, with the national index sitting at just 99.5, Winnipeg remains far above the Canadian average.
Police Chief Gene Bowers acknowledged this, calling the dip in crime “a trend in the right direction,” but clearly stating: “We don’t accept being the most violent city in Canada.”
What’s Behind the Numbers?
While total reported crimes fell slightly (by 0.8%), the decrease is still above the five-year average — a reminder that pandemic-era data distorts the baseline. However, some promising developments emerged:
- Violent crime reports dropped by 1.4%, a first in four years.
- Major offences such as homicides, assaults, robberies, and sexual assaults saw declines.
- Bear spray attacks were down nearly 30%, possibly due to new restrictions on sales.
- Knife-related crimes fell 14.3%, following consultation and new limits on machete sales.
At the same time, assaults on police officers have hit a record high, and youth crime is rising again — up five per cent. Notably, 18% of cleared violent crimes involved breaches of bail or other conditions, pointing to systemic issues around repeat offenders and supervision.
Shoplifting Surge: A Policing Win or a Red Flag?
One of the biggest statistical jumps came in the form of shoplifting, which rose by 40.8%. At first glance, this seems alarming. But WPS officials credit this to a proactive enforcement campaign — nearly 1,000 arrests were made, and retailers were encouraged to report incidents more consistently.
While shoplifting numbers spiked, property crimes overall fell by 2.3%, bringing them back to pre-pandemic levels.
Gun Crime Up, Cyber Crime Exploding
Though bear spray and knife crimes decreased, gun-related incidents rose by 2.3% in 2024. And while violent incidents often make headlines, cyber crime is one of the fastest-growing threats in the city:
- Cyber crime reports have tripled since 2018.
- Sextortion is on the rise, with most victims around age 15.
- 1,611 cyber crimes were reported in 2024, most of them fraud-related.
This digital shift is reshaping how we think about community safety — especially for youth.
Calls for Help Remain High
The WPS received 772,452 calls in 2024 — over 2,000 per day. Most were well-being checks, domestic disputes, and public disturbances. While call volume dipped slightly (down 1.4% from 2023), it remains over 12% higher than the five-year average, reflecting the growing strain on front-line services.
Winnipeg’s officer rate has also declined — from 210.4 officers per 100,000 people in 2013 to 164.8 in 2024. The city is funding 36 new officers over the next two years, but the WPS says it needs at least 78 more to properly meet demand and reduce response times.
A Safer Winnipeg — Still a Work in Progress
It’s heartening to see key crime categories drop and efforts like targeted shoplifting enforcement make an impact. But the data also tells us that we’re far from where we need to be — especially with violent crime levels still more than double the national average.
Community partnerships, smart enforcement, and stronger youth outreach will be crucial in turning this short-term drop into long-term change.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Do you feel safer in your neighbourhood this year? What’s working, and what’s not?
