Vancouver is broadly safe, but it records more crime than Toronto or Montréal: the Vancouver metro area’s Crime Severity Index (CSI) was 83.5 in 2025, up 1% on 2024 and about 11% above the national figure of 75.0. Its crime rate was 5,672 incidents per 100,000 people, close to Canada’s 5,585. The difference is mostly property crime; Vancouver’s violent crime severity is below the national level.
Data: Statistics Canada, police-reported crime statistics for 2025 (released 22 July 2026), Crime Severity Index and incident-based crime tables, including CSI for police services in British Columbia. Figures are for the Vancouver census metropolitan area (CMA) unless stated as Vancouver Police Department. Comparisons and percentages that are not in the release are our own arithmetic. Updated 5 October 2026.
All figures cover calendar year 2025, the latest full year available. This is the 2026 edition of our Vancouver guide.
Is Vancouver safe compared with other Canadian cities?
Of Canada’s six largest metros, Vancouver has the second-highest CSI after Edmonton. Among all 41 metropolitan areas it ranks 14th highest, in the middle of the table. It is below the British Columbia provincial CSI of 92.4, which is lifted by several smaller B.C. cities with much higher values.
| Area (2025) | Crime Severity Index | CSI change vs 2024 | Crime rate per 100,000 | Rate change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver (CMA) | 83.5 | +1% | 5,672 | +3% |
| Toronto (CMA) | 55.0 | −7% | 3,950 | −5% |
| Montréal (CMA) | 61.3 | −5% | 3,641 | −5% |
| Calgary (CMA) | 61.7 | −3% | 5,038 | +5% |
| Edmonton (CMA) | 95.6 | −7% | 7,463 | +2% |
| Victoria (CMA) | 74.6 | +5% | 5,588 | +6% |
| British Columbia (province) | 92.4 | −2% | 6,943 | 0% |
| Canada (all police services) | 75.0 | −5% | 5,585 | −2% |
The crime rate counts all Criminal Code incidents (excluding traffic) equally; the CSI weights them by seriousness. Vancouver’s non-violent CSI (85.35) is well above the national non-violent CSI (66.78), while its violent CSI (80.67) is below Canada’s 97.19. In other words, Vancouver’s higher score comes mainly from theft, shoplifting, mischief and similar offences. See our Crime Severity Index explainer.
Vancouver Police vs Metro Vancouver: which number applies?
The CMA covers the whole metro region, from Vancouver itself to Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam and beyond, each with its own police service or RCMP detachment. Statistics Canada also publishes a CSI for each service:
| Police service | CSI 2020 | CSI 2024 | CSI 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Police (City of Vancouver) | 104.08 | 93.94 | 89.28 |
| Burnaby RCMP | 77.97 | 68.53 | 68.70 |
| Coquitlam RCMP | 59.21 | 56.55 | 57.12 |
| Richmond RCMP | 107.54 | 119.94 | 151.82 |
Source: Statistics Canada, CSI for police services in British Columbia. Surrey is omitted because policing there was moving from the RCMP to the new Surrey Police Service, so its 2025 figures are split between two services.
The City of Vancouver’s CSI of 89.28 is higher than the metro figure but fell about 5% in 2025 and is about 14% below its 2020 level. A central city usually scores higher than its region because downtown districts draw large numbers of commuters, shoppers and visitors, while rates are calculated per resident. Richmond’s jump is driven by non-violent crime (non-violent CSI 189.09; violent CSI 61.78). For more, see is Burnaby safe? and is Richmond safe?
Is crime in Vancouver going up or down?
Over ten years, down. The metro CSI was 94.3 in 2015 and peaked at 95.2 in 2019; by 2025 it was 83.5, about 12% lower than 2015. The 2025 figure was a small rise from 82.3 in 2024, the lowest point of the decade.
| Year | Vancouver CSI | Canada CSI |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 94.3 | 70.4 |
| 2016 | 92.7 | 72.0 |
| 2017 | 86.7 | 73.6 |
| 2018 | 85.5 | 75.6 |
| 2019 | 95.2 | 79.7 |
| 2020 | 88.5 | 73.9 |
| 2021 | 86.9 | 74.9 |
| 2022 | 92.3 | 78.7 |
| 2023 | 88.9 | 81.3 |
| 2024 | 82.3 | 78.8 |
| 2025 | 83.5 | 75.0 |
The 2025 uptick came from violent crime: the violent CSI rose from 76.73 to 80.67 (about 5%), while the non-violent CSI was essentially flat (85.21 to 85.35). Nationally, the CSI fell 5% in 2025, so Vancouver was one of the metros that did not share in the decline.
What kind of crime is most common in Vancouver?
The Vancouver CMA recorded 175,143 Criminal Code incidents in 2025, including 103,922 property crimes and 33,668 violent incidents.
| Offence | Vancouver rate 2025 | Vancouver rate 2024 | Canada rate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Criminal Code offences (excl. traffic) | 5,672 | 5,511 | 5,585 |
| Violent crime | 1,090 | 1,070 | 1,443 |
| Homicide | 1.52 | 1.23 | 1.61 |
| Robbery | 55 | 53 | 55 |
| Breaking and entering | 249 | 247 | 262 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 103 | 112 | 201 |
| Shoplifting ($5,000 or under) | 804 | 707 | 502 |
| Mischief | 541 | n/a | 739 |
| Drug offences | 351 | n/a | 144 |
Rates are incidents per 100,000 people (homicide: victims per 100,000), Vancouver census metropolitan area. n/a = 2024 rate not available in our data set.
- Shoplifting is high and rising. 24,833 incidents, 804 per 100,000, up about 14% and well above the national 502. See shoplifting in Canada.
- Car theft is low. At 103 per 100,000, the vehicle theft rate is about half the national 201.
- Break-ins are slightly below average at 249 per 100,000 (Canada: 262).
- Homicide rose to 47 victims, 1.52 per 100,000 (1.23 in 2024), still just below the national 1.61.
- Drug offences are recorded at 351 per 100,000, more than double the national rate; drug-offence counts are strongly shaped by enforcement and recording practice.
One weak spot is clearance: Vancouver’s weighted clearance rate was 19.00, the lowest among the big metros in our data and about half the national 36.64.
Which parts of Vancouver record more crime?
We do not rank neighbourhoods, and Statistics Canada does not publish neighbourhood figures. In Vancouver, as elsewhere, reported incidents concentrate in the busiest places: the downtown peninsula, nightlife and entertainment streets, shopping areas and SkyTrain stations. These areas draw far more people than live there, so their counts are not a measure of risk to residents. Use the VPD’s own map for block-level detail.
Is Vancouver safe for visitors and at night?
For most visitors, yes. Violent crime severity is below the national average, and the most likely problems are thefts: from cars, shops and unattended bags or bikes. Do not leave anything visible in a parked car, use a sturdy lock for bikes, and keep to busy, well-lit routes late at night. Our walking home at night tips and transit safety guide have more.
How reliable are these figures?
- Reported crime only. Nationally, only about 29% of victimizations were reported to police in 2019.
- Enforcement shapes some numbers, especially drug offences and shoplifting.
- The CSI is not a complete safety score, as Statistics Canada itself notes. See the official 2025 release.
How do I check crime near a specific address in Vancouver?
- Use VPD GeoDASH. The Vancouver Police Department’s GeoDASH crime map shows reported incidents by type and date for the City of Vancouver. Other municipalities in the region are policed separately.
- Look at our map. The Canada Crime Map brings official figures together, and our Vancouver crime map guide explains how to read GeoDASH.
- Compare two areas. Check the address against another area using the same offence types and time period.
- Read the limits. Locations are offset for privacy and busy streets always show more incidents. Visit at night as well as in the day.
Want this on your phone?
Safety App Canada puts official crime data on a live map, plans walking routes that avoid high-risk areas and sends one-tap SOS alerts to the people you trust. Coming soon to Android and iPhone.
Vancouver crime FAQ
What is Vancouver’s crime rate?
The Vancouver CMA recorded 5,672 Criminal Code incidents per 100,000 people in 2025, up 3% on 2024 and about 2% above the national rate of 5,585.
Is Vancouver more dangerous than Toronto?
Vancouver has a higher CSI (83.5 vs 55.0) and crime rate (5,672 vs 3,950), driven mainly by property crime. Its homicide rate (1.52) is higher than Toronto’s 0.91 but below the national 1.61.
Is crime in Vancouver getting worse?
The metro CSI rose 1% in 2025, but it is about 12% lower than in 2015. The City of Vancouver’s police-service CSI fell about 5% in 2025.
Is car theft a problem in Vancouver?
Less than in most big cities. Vancouver’s rate of 103 stolen vehicles per 100,000 is about half the national 201. Theft from vehicles and shoplifting are more common concerns.
Is downtown Vancouver safe?
We do not have neighbourhood figures. The City of Vancouver’s CSI (89.28) is higher than the metro’s, as is typical for a central city with many visitors. Check GeoDASH for specific blocks and use normal city precautions at night.
Related: most dangerous cities in B.C. · safest cities in B.C. · is Surrey safe? · is Burnaby safe? · Vancouver crime map. In an emergency call 911.