Report shows Canada's crime rate hits lowest level since 1973

Statistics Canada issued a report on Thursday showing the crime rate across the country has hit its lowest level since 1973.

"It is a testament to the hard work and dedication in the pursuit of community safety from Canada's police personnel," said Canadian Police Association President Tom Stamatakis.

"Obviously there are a number of factors at play here, but this report provides solid evidence that investments in front-line policing are paying off," said Stamatakis. "We need to continue to build on these achievements by our members."

According to the report, Canadian police services reported nearly 2.1 million Criminal Code incidents excluding traffic last year, about 77,000 fewer than in 2009. Further, four property crimes accounted for the majority of the decline: theft under 5, 000 Canadian dollars (about 5,290 U.S. dollars), mischief, motor vehicle thefts and break-ins.

"Absolutely no one celebrates seeing less crime in Canada than our police men and women, but until the crime numbers get down to zero, we're not going to stop being tough on crime, nor are we going to stop advocating for the tougher laws and penalties that help us do our jobs."

The Canadian Police Association (CPA) is the national voice for 41,000 police personnel across Canada. Membership includes police personnel serving in 160 police services across Canada, from Canada's smallest towns and villages as well as those working in our largest municipal and provincial police services, and members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), railway police, and first nations' police personnel.

Source:Xinhua

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