Saskatchewan RCMP say the number of residential break-ins across the province continues to decline, even as overall break and enter incidents have remained relatively stable year over year.
In its 2024 crime statistics and trends report released Tuesday, the RCMP said break and enters in RCMP jurisdiction rose two per cent from 2023 to 2024, largely due to a spike in incidents involving non-dwelling structures such as sheds, outbuildings and abandoned properties.
Despite the slight increase, the force noted that residential break-ins, still the most common type of break and enter — have dropped 15 per cent over the past decade.
“If there is one place that people want to feel safe, it is within their own homes,” said Staff Sergeant Jill McLaren, who leads the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Unit.
“Property crime, such as break and enters, can take away that feeling of safety. Although break-ins may not cause physical harm, they are violating and intrusive,” she added. “It’s promising to see that it’s impacting 15 per cent fewer residences than it did a decade ago, that’s over 300 fewer households dealing with this issue.”
McLaren said it’s not clear what’s behind the long-term decline, but emphasized that public vigilance and timely reporting play a crucial role in helping officers respond effectively.
The report also highlighted a recent case in the Swift Current rural detachment area, where officers arrested two individuals and laid over 80 charges in connection with a rash of rural property break-ins in June. Follow-up investigations linked the suspects to two additional residential break-ins in the Maple Creek area.
RCMP say most break and enters are crimes of opportunity and urge the public to take preventive steps — from securing windows and doors, to using security systems, to making homes appear occupied when away.
The report is part of the RCMP’s annual release of crime data, which complements national crime severity indexes published by Statistics Canada. The figures reflect incidents reported in areas policed by the RCMP, which cover the majority of rural Saskatchewan.
Links:
Saskatchewan RCMP annual crime statistics and trends
Statistics Canada police-reported crime data