The Surrey RCMP has released the Third Quarter (Q3) Crime Statistics for 2019. You can view the statistics on the Surrey RCMP website.
In Q3 2019, total criminal code offences increased by 6% when compared with the previous quarter. An overview of significant trends is provided below.
Important Note: On January 1, 2019 revisions to the national Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Survey came into effect, including new definitions of "founded" and "unfounded" incidents.
Under the new UCR Survey rules, founded occurrences now include all reported offences unless there is evidence to confirm the incident did not take place. Previously, offences that could not be substantiated with evidence were not included in a city’s crime statistics.
Learn more about these changes on the Statistics Canada website. These changes will have an impact on crime statistics for all police agencies across Canada and, as such, crime statistics in 2019 are not directly comparable to crime statistics in previous years. In order to provide a more accurate comparison, Q2, Q3 and Q4 2019 crime statistics will be compared to the previous quarter.
Violent Crime
Violent crime went up 5% in Q3. This increase is consistent with trends seen across the Lower Mainland.
Q3 saw 5 homicides with arrests made in 3 of these files so far. There were also 8 attempted homicides (167%; 5 additional files).
Surrey had 14 shots fired incidents in Q3. As of October 31st there have been 33 shots fired this year, compared with 34 in the same time period last year.
The Surrey RCMP continues to target gangs and drug trafficking through enforcement and prevention:
In August police executed a massive drug seizure and dismantled a clandestine lab with links to the “Brothers Keepers” gang.
The Surrey Gang Enforcement Team launched a second module of the “Shattering the Image” anti-gang presentation focused on mentoring and leadership for youth.
Robberies increased 72% with 43 additional files. The majority of the increase is due to personal robberies of cell phones, cash and other personal belongings. The Surrey RCMP recently issued a public warning related to robberies involving the “LetGo” app.
Sexual offences decreased by 14% in Q3. The offender was known to the victim in 69% of incidents and, of the 40 stranger sexual offences, 45% involved groping/hugging.
Abductions/Kidnappings/Forcible Confinements increased from 17 files in Q2 to 21 in Q3 (24%). Twelve of these files (57%) are related to intimate partner violence, and four (19%) are related to drugs/gangs.
Property Crime
Property crime increased by 10% in Q3. Overall, the Lower Mainland is seeing increases in property crime this year.
The most significant increases were seen in theft from vehicle (13%), theft under $5000 (17%), and fraud (29%). Decreases were seen in theft of vehicle (-7%), shoplifting (-14%), stolen property (-21%), and arson (-21%).
There was an increase to overnight break and enters where suspects gained access to homes through open windows or with garage door openers left in vehicles. These incidents are being actively investigated and a news release was issued to advise the public. In addition, a series of 10 break and enters in the summer led to the arrest of three individuals.
Over the summer, the Economic Crime Unit investigated the alleged fraudulent business practices of a local boat dealership that involved over 100 complaints, which contributed to the 29% increase in fraud.
In Q3, the Surrey RCMP arrested a total of 21 Priority Target Offenders for various offences involving property crime, driving, and/or breaches of conditions.
Mayor Doug McCallum issued a statement Thursday calling for the expedited establishment of a municipal police force by the province’s solicitor general.
“I’m disheartened by the report,” McCallum said, adding “it does not come as a surprise to me.”
“RCMP members are doing the best job they can, but it is clear from what I have heard from our citizens that Surrey would benefit from having its own police department. I continue to urge the solicitor general to make this a top priority and that we work as quickly as possible to establish the Surrey Police Department.”
Surrey RCMP Cpl. Elenore Sturko in a statement said, “As we wait for the province’s decision on the creation of a city police department, crime doesn’t take a holiday. We need officers now and it’s just not happening. We’re starving the RCMP and ignoring the needs of our growing city, it makes absolutely no sense.”