Police-reported crime fell across Alberta RCMP jurisdictions in 2024, with the Crime Severity Index down 6.9 per cent from the previous year, according to new Statistics Canada data.
Significant declines were reported in several Central Alberta communities, including Red Deer and Wetaskiwin.
Wetaskiwin, with a population of just over 13,000, recorded a 19.2 per cent drop in crime severity.
Red Deer — the largest Alberta RCMP jurisdiction with a population of more than 112,000 — reported a 19.7 per cent decline.
RCMP say smaller jurisdictions tend to see greater annual fluctuations in CSI scores due to the statistical weight of individual incidents. However, the declines in larger communities reflect what officials say is meaningful progress.
The top 10 contributors to Alberta's CSI account for nearly 75 per cent of the province's total crime, with break and enters topping the list. While still the most significant contributor, the number of reported break and enters declined by 875 compared to 2023.
Violent crimes such as assault and sexual assault also fell, with 653 fewer assaults and 273 fewer sexual assaults reported.
“We are extremely pleased to see crime scores declining across the province,” said Deputy Commissioner Trevor Daroux, Commanding Officer of the Alberta RCMP. “This trend reflects the shared efforts of Alberta RCMP officers, the communities we serve, and our dedicated partner agencies.”
Daroux said collaboration between police, governments and community organizations is essential to crime reduction.
** With information from Alberta RCMP.
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