Break-ins are becoming less common in Canada: police reported 109,753 breaking and entering incidents in 2025, a rate of 264 per 100,000 people, down 11% from 2024 and 41% lower than in 2015. Rates still vary a lot by city, from about 104 per 100,000 in Barrie to about 549 in Moncton. Most break-ins can be made harder with simple steps: solid doors and locks, good lighting, a lived-in look and not advertising what you own.
Data: Statistics Canada, police-reported crime statistics for 2025 (released 22 July 2026), breaking and entering by census metropolitan area and province. Rates are per 100,000 population and include break-ins at homes and businesses. Percentage changes not in the release are our own arithmetic. Updated 5 October 2026. Tips are general guidance.
Are break-ins going up or down in Canada?
Down, for the third year in a row. The national rate of 264 per 100,000 in 2025 was 11% lower than in 2024, 41% lower than in 2015 and 77% lower than in 1998. Break-ins fell in every province and territory, and the decline was the largest single contributor to the 5% fall in Canada’s Crime Severity Index.
Note that these figures cover all break-ins reported to police, including businesses and other buildings, not only homes. See our break-ins in Canada report for more detail.
Which cities have the most break-ins?
| Metro area (CMA) | Incidents 2025 | Rate per 100,000 (2025) | Rate per 100,000 (2024) | Change in rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg | 4,646 | 501.8 | 637.0 | -21% |
| Saskatoon | 1,728 | 451.1 | 524.3 | -14% |
| Edmonton | 7,035 | 414.4 | 440.6 | -6% |
| Kelowna | 1,016 | 401.4 | 452.2 | -11% |
| Regina | 978 | 337.3 | 510.4 | -34% |
| Calgary | 5,696 | 310.1 | 316.9 | -2% |
| Vancouver | 7,675 | 248.6 | 246.8 | +1% |
| Montréal | 9,886 | 212.8 | 222.2 | -4% |
| Ottawa (Ont. part) | 2,451 | 185.6 | 209.0 | -11% |
| Toronto | 11,886 | 169.2 | 184.0 | -8% |
| Barrie | 312 | 103.8 | 151.2 | -31% |
| Canada | 109,248 | 262.3 | 293.1 | -11% |
The national count in Statistics Canada’s summary (109,753 incidents, 264 per 100,000) differs slightly from its detailed violation table (109,248, 262.3), shown here so the rows are consistent. Moncton (548.87 per 100,000), Lethbridge (486.84) and Kamloops (470.02) also had high rates. By province, Saskatchewan (544.61) and Manitoba (499.17) were highest, and Ontario (188.77) lowest.
How do I secure my doors and windows?
Most break-ins happen through a door or a ground-floor window, so start there.
- Lock up every time, including when you are home, in the garden or out for a few minutes. Include the door between an attached garage and the house.
- Use solid exterior doors with a good deadbolt. Ask a locksmith about reinforced strike plates and longer screws that go into the frame.
- Secure sliding doors with a bar or rod in the track, and check that they cannot be lifted out.
- Lock windows, especially ground-floor and basement windows, and those reachable from a deck, fence or garage roof.
- Do not hide spare keys outside under mats, rocks or planters. Leave one with a trusted neighbour instead.
- Change the locks when you move into a new home.
How can I make my home look occupied?
- Use timers or smart plugs on lights, and vary when they turn on.
- Ask a neighbour to collect mail and parcels, and to park in your driveway if you are away.
- Arrange snow clearing in winter and lawn care in summer for longer trips.
- Avoid posting travel plans or photos on social media until you are back.
- Keep curtains in their usual position rather than closing everything when you leave.
Do lights, cameras and alarms help?
They can, as part of a layered approach:
- Exterior lighting: motion-sensor lights at doors, driveways and the back of the house remove hiding places.
- Clear sightlines: trim hedges and shrubs near doors and windows so neighbours and passers-by can see your entrances.
- Cameras and video doorbells: can deter some intruders and record evidence. Point them at your own property, respect neighbours’ privacy, and secure the account with a strong password and two-factor authentication.
- Alarm systems: monitored or self-monitored systems vary in cost and features. Compare several providers and read contract terms carefully.
- Signs and stickers for alarms or cameras may also deter opportunistic thieves.
Check with your home insurer, as some insurers ask about security measures.
How do I protect valuables and parcels?
- Keep valuables, keys and laptops out of sight from windows.
- Store important documents and small valuables in a secure place.
- Photograph valuables and record serial numbers; this helps police and insurers if they are stolen.
- Break down boxes from expensive purchases before putting them out for recycling.
- Use parcel lockers, pick-up points or delivery to a neighbour if parcels sit outside while you are at work.
- Lock sheds and garages, and secure ladders and tools that could help someone get in.
What should I do if my home is broken into?
- If you think someone is still inside, do not go in. Leave or stay at a safe distance and call 911.
- If the intruder has gone and no one is in danger, call your local police non-emergency line or use its online reporting where available.
- Avoid touching things until police have seen the scene, if they are attending.
- List what is missing and gather receipts, photos and serial numbers.
- Contact your insurer with the police report number, and repair or secure the point of entry.
About half of break-ins were reported to police in 2019. Reporting helps police connect incidents and makes local data more accurate. See how to report a crime in Canada.
How do I check break-ins near my home?
- Look at your local police service’s official crime map or open data for break-ins nearby.
- Compare metro areas on our Canada crime map.
- Join or start a neighbourhood or community association to share information.
- Read our guide on checking crime in your neighbourhood.
See what is reported near you
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.
Home security FAQ
How many break-ins were there in Canada in 2025?
Police reported 109,753 breaking and entering incidents in 2025, a rate of 264 per 100,000 people, down 11% from 2024.
Which Canadian city has the most break-ins?
Among metro areas, Moncton (548.87 per 100,000) and Winnipeg (501.83) had the highest rates in 2025. Winnipeg’s rate fell about 21% from 2024.
Which city has the fewest break-ins?
Barrie had the lowest rate among the metros in our data, at 103.78 per 100,000 in 2025.
What is the most effective way to prevent a break-in?
Locking every door and window every time is the simplest and most important step. Add good locks, lighting and a lived-in look for further layers.
Should I confront an intruder?
No. Leave or stay somewhere safe and call 911. Property can be replaced.