The Surrey RCMP has release the fourth quarter (Q4) crime statistics for 2018, which also includes the statistics for the full year. Overall, crime in Surrey decreased by 4% in 2018.
All violent crime categories saw decreases in 2018, with the exception of homicides, which increased from 12 to 15 (+25%). There was no change in overall violent crime for the year, and a 2% decline in the most recent quarter. The city experienced 38 shots fired files, which is down 36% from 2017 and 57% from 2015.
The Surrey RCMP did significant work in relation to the gang and drug trafficking issues in 2018 through a multi-pronged approach that covered enforcement, intervention and prevention. Some of these efforts include: multiple arrests of individuals believed to be involved in the Lower Mainland gang conflict, the launch of the Inadmissible Patrons Program and Car Yankee 30 program, delivery of over 100 “Shattering the Image” anti-gang presentations, and continuing efforts to support youth and parents through the Parent Helpline, Wrap Program, Youth Intervention Program, Code Blue and Mini-Blue fitness programs, and attendance by our Community Engagement Teams at 130 community events.
Property crime continued to trend down in 2018, resulting in an 11% decrease. All areas of property crime declined with the exception of theft over $5000 (+33%) and shoplifting (+8%). Surrey RCMP received 600 less break and enter files in 2018, resulting in an 18% decrease. In addition, one of the most high-volume crimes, theft from vehicles, went down 15%, and theft of vehicles declined by 30%.
We have a number of teams dedicated to the reduction of property and nuisance crime including property and auto crime target teams, and the Mobile Street Enforcement Team, which was launched in May to conduct proactive enforcement in areas with high calls for service.
Other significant property crime prevention efforts in 2018 included the Business Engagement & Safety Team (BEST); Block Watch, with close to 800 groups city-wide; and our volunteer-based Stolen Auto Recovery and Lock Out Auto Crime programs.
“The Surrey RCMP continues to pursue crime reduction and address public safety issues through a balanced approach that includes prevention, outreach, intervention and enforcement efforts,” says Assistant Commissioner Dwayne McDonald. “The 2018 crime statistics report demonstrates that the collective efforts of the police, partners and the community are contributing to positive trends in terms of the incidence of crime.”
The Surrey RCMP has been providing crime statistics on a quarterly basis to the public on their website since 2006. The quarterly crime stat report is intended to create better awareness and understanding of the incidence of crime across Surrey and help inform community engagement in crime prevention. The detachment also posts a ten-year crime profile report each year.