Key insights

According to Statistics Canada, Montreal recorded 3,275 crime incidents per 100,000 people in 2018. This was 40% lower than the national average.  Data from the Canada Crime Report shows that Montreal’s Crime Severity Index (CSI) reached 80.0 in 2023, a 0.9% increase from the previous year. In 2023, Statistics Canada reported that adults experienced the highest victimisation rate at 424 per 100,000 people.  AreaVibes listed René-Goupil and Hochelaga among Montreal’s highest crime areas, with violent crime rates 34% and 33% above the city average, respectively. The City of Montreal has implemented the Montréal Model for a Safe City. It focuses on youth crime prevention, violence reduction, and stronger collaboration between law enforcement and community organisations.

Montreal has historically been considered one of Canada’s safer major cities, but crime rates have fluctuated over the years.

According to Statistics Canada, Montreal recorded an overall crime rate of 3,275 incidents per 100,000 people in 2018. This was 40% lower than the national rate of 5,488 per 100,000 people.

From 2018 onward, crime patterns began to shift. As per the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), over 100,000 criminal offences were reported in 2022. This marks a 14% increase compared to the five-year average.

Statistics Canada also reports that Canada’s Crime Severity Index (CSI) rose by 2% in 2023, continuing a three-year increase. 

This upward trend reflects a rise in certain offences, including property crimes and violent incidents, contributing to the overall crime severity. The chart illustrates how CSI has steadily increased from 2021 to 2023, highlighting this shift in national crime patterns.

Types of crime in Montreal

Montreal’s crime landscape encompasses various offences. Below is a breakdown of the primary crime categories in Montreal according to Statistics Canada:

Property crimes in Montreal

Property crimes are among the most frequently reported offences in Montreal. These include crimes where property is stolen or damaged without direct harm to individuals.

According to Statista, the most frequent property crimes in Montreal are “Theft under $5,000 (Non-Motor Vehicles)” and “Motor Vehicle Theft”.

In 2022, there were over 33,800 incidents of theft involving non-motor vehicles valued under $5,000. This makes it the most common property crime in the city.

As per Global News, the city has also seen a significant rise in vehicle thefts. 9,583 stolen vehicles were reported in 2022, up from 6,527 the previous year.

To further understand how property crime has changed over time, the following chart illustrates Montreal’s property crime trends from 2001 to 2023.

As per Statista, property crimes peaked at 171,184 reported incidents in 2001.

However, property crime rates steadily declined from the mid-2000s onward. The lowest point was recorded in 2020, with only 75,098 incidents – a drop of over 56% compared to 2001.

This decline can be attributed to improved security measures, advancements in law enforcement strategies, and changes in crime prevention initiatives. 

However, property crime has been rising again in recent years. Cases have increased to 92,679 in 2022 and further spiked to 101,629 in 2023.

Violent crimes in Montreal

Violent crimes include offences that involve causing or threatening physical harm to individuals, such as assault and robbery.

The violent crime rate in Canada has experienced significant fluctuations over the past two decades. According to Statista, the rate was at its highest in the early 2000s, with over 1,400 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. 

From 2002 to 2014, the country saw a steady decline. It reached its lowest point in 2014 at just above 1,000 per 100,000 residents.

But this downward trend reversed after 2015, with violent crime rates rising sharply. The increase became more pronounced in 2020 and beyond, with 2023 marking one of the highest levels in recent years. 

Cybercrime in Montreal

According to Statistics Canada, there were 41,162 cybercrimes reported nationwide in the first half of 2024. Fraud (including identity theft and identity fraud) accounts for 56% of these incidents. 

The following data illustrates the number of police-reported instances of cyber harassment in Canada from 2014 to 2023:

Cyber harassment cases in Canada have risen steadily, from 899 reported cases in 2014 to a peak of 3,203 in 2021. While numbers slightly declined in 2022, they remained high in 2023 (3,092 cases).

Crime rates by neighbourhood in Montreal

Crime rates in Montreal vary across its neighbourhoods, with some areas experiencing higher incidences of crime than others. 

According to data from AreaVibes, the following neighbourhoods have higher violent crime rates compared to the city average:

René-Goupil has the highest violent crime rate among the listed areas, with 1,342 incidents per 100,000 people, which is 34% above the city average. 

Similarly, Hochelaga records 1,336 violent crimes per 100,000 people (33% higher than Montreal’s average).

Ovide-Clermont (1,323 incidents, 32% above average), Montréal-Nord Est (1,319 incidents, 32% above average), and Montréal-Nord Ouest (1,316 incidents, 31% above average) also report elevated crime levels.

AreaVibes also reports that some of Montreal’s neighbourhoods have notably lower violent crime rates than the city average. 

Outremont, Beaconsfield, and Hampstead stand out as some of the safest areas. Each of them reported 1,715 violent crimes per 100,000 people.

With a population of 25,208, Outremont sees 34% fewer violent crimes compared to the city average. Beaconsfield, home to 19,995 residents, experiences a 33% lower violent crime rate. 

Meanwhile, Hampstead, with 9,967 people, records 32% less violent crime than the rest of Montreal.

Crime demographics in Montreal

Understanding the crime demographics in Montreal provides valuable insights into the city’s safety dynamics. Analysing factors such as the age, gender, and ethnicity of both victims and offenders help develop targeted crime prevention strategies.

Crime victimisation by age and gender in Montreal

Crime victimisation in Montreal varies significantly by age and gender, with adults being the most affected group.

According to Statistics Canada, in 2023, the total victimisation rate for adults was 424 per 100,000 people. Female adults experience a rate of 606 per 100,000, significantly higher than males at 246 per 100,000.

Children and youth also face crime victimisation, with a total rate of 362 per 100,000 in 2023. Among them, female youth victims had a rate of 439 per 100,000, compared to 259 per 100,000 for male youth.

For seniors, crime victimisation is significantly lower than other age groups, but still saw an increase in recent years. In 2023, the victimisation rate for seniors was 94 per 100,000, with female seniors at 99 per 100,000 and male seniors at 87 per 100,000.

Hate crimes by ethnicity in Montreal

The data from Statistics Canada (2019 to 2022) shows that Black Canadians experienced the highest number of police-reported hate crimes, consistently leading across all four years. 

East and Southeast Asians also saw a notable increase, particularly in 2020 and 2021, likely influenced by the rise in anti-Asian sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arab and West Asian communities also reported a steady number of hate crime incidents. Meanwhile, South Asians and Indigenous groups experienced comparatively lower but still significant cases. 

The “Other” and “Unspecified” categories suggest additional cases where ethnicity was either mixed or not clearly recorded.

Crime Severity Index in Canada by city: Montreal’s standing

The Crime Severity Index (CSI) measures the overall seriousness of crimes reported to the police, providing insight into crime trends across Canadian cities. 

According to data from Canada Crime Report, as of 2023, Montreal’s CSI is 80.0, reflecting a 0.9% increase from the previous year. 

This places Montreal’s crime severity higher than cities like Toronto (CSI 69.2) and Ottawa (CSI 55.8) but lower than Vancouver (CSI 97.0) and Edmonton (CSI 113.3)

These figures indicate that while Montreal’s crime severity has experienced a slight uptick, it remains moderate compared to other major Canadian cities.

Costs and consequences of crime in Montreal

Economic costs of crimes in Montreal

According to Public Safety Canada, crime leads to increased expenditures for law enforcement, legal proceedings, and correctional services. 

Businesses in high-crime areas face higher security costs and potential revenue losses due to decreased customer activity. 

Additionally, property crimes can lower property values, negatively impacting homeowners and the city’s tax base.

Social consequences of crimes in Montreal

A report from iResearchNet on Criminal Justice highlights that high crime rates can weaken community trust and cohesion. 

Residents may experience heightened fear and anxiety, leading to reduced social interactions and declining participation in public activities. This social fragmentation can further perpetuate cycles of crime and hinder economic development in affected neighbourhoods.

Crime prevention and policing in Montreal

Montreal employs a comprehensive approach to crime prevention and policing. It has integrated community-based programs, specialised law enforcement units, and federal funding to address crime at multiple levels.

Community-based initiatives in Montreal

According to Montreal.ca, the city’s Montréal Model for a Safe City focuses on preventing gun violence, youth crime, and public space violence through collaboration between law enforcement, social workers, and community organisations. 

A major component of this initiative is violence prevention programs for at-risk youth, offering mentorship, education, and employment support to deter crime.

The model is structured around four key actions:

• Prevent and Reduce Insecurity – Strengthening violence prevention programs, increasing police visibility, and engaging with local organisations.

• Improve Living Conditions – Investing in community development, affordable housing, and social support services to address root causes of crime.

• Strengthen Collaboration – Enhancing partnerships between law enforcement, schools, and social services to create safer public spaces.
• Adapt Strategies to Emerging Challenges – Continuously monitoring crime trends and adjusting crime prevention efforts to respond to new threats effectively.

This multi-faceted approach aims to enhance community safety and trust while reducing crime rates through targeted social and law enforcement strategies.

Specialised police units in Montreal

According to SPVM (Service de police de la Ville de Montréal), the city has increased police presence and formed specialised units to combat specific types of crime. These units include:

• Gun Violence Task Force – Established in response to a rise in firearm-related incidents, this unit focuses on removing illegal firearms, investigating gang-related crimes, and increasing patrols in high-risk areas.

• Hate Crimes Unit – As per Montreal City News, this unit was strengthened in response to a rise in hate-motivated offences, working closely with religious and ethnic organisations to investigate and prevent hate crimes.

• Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit – This team collaborates with victim support organisations and shelters to identify and assist victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

SPVM has also implemented targeted patrols in high-crime areas, a strategy that, according to crime prevention research, helps deter criminal activity and enhance public confidence in law enforcement.

Federal support and funding in Montreal

As per Public Safety Canada, the federal government has allocated millions of dollars to crime prevention in Montreal.

In April 2022, the government invested $5 million into programs aimed at preventing youth involvement in criminal activity, providing job training, mental health services, and mentorship programs in high-crime neighbourhoods.

In September 2024, funding was provided to religious and community organisations in Montreal to improve security measures against hate-motivated crimes, including surveillance systems, security training, and emergency preparedness programs.

References:

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