Close X
Saturday, December 21, 2024
ADVT 
National

Police cite crime dip in first months of pandemic

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Nov, 2020 06:01 PM
  • Police cite crime dip in first months of pandemic

Newly released statistics point to a notable drop in police-recorded crime during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistics Canada says 17 police services across Canada reported that selected criminal incidents were down by 17 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier.

The lone exception was uttering threats by a family member, with police reporting four per cent more incidents during the same period last year.

In addition, the number of calls for service rose eight per cent, particularly wellness checks, mental health calls and calls to attend domestic disturbances.

The statistics agency says when the physical distancing measures introduced in mid-March to control the pandemic started easing in May, the number of crimes and calls for service began to rise.

The 17 police services providing data are some of the largest nationally and serve close to 60 per cent of the population of Canada.

During the early months of the pandemic, the police services reported a 20 per cent decrease in sexual assaults compared with the same period a year earlier, Statistics Canada says. The number of reported assaults also declined.

The agency notes victimization surveys have shown that rates of reporting to the police are lower for sexual assaults and spousal violence than for other types of crimes.

For those experiencing violence, especially within the home, previous releases have shown that accessing services during the pandemic may be more difficult because of restricted contact with sources of support, the agency added.

MORE National ARTICLES

PBO rebukes Liberals over spending secrecy

PBO rebukes Liberals over spending secrecy
The parliamentary budget office made clear its concerns about the Liberals' spending secrecy in two separate reports released Wednesday.

PBO rebukes Liberals over spending secrecy

Miss Vickie's chips recalled over glass

Miss Vickie's chips recalled over glass
Recalled products include Applewood Smoked BBQ, Spicy Dill Pickle, Jalapeno, Sea Salt and Malt Vinegar, Original Recipe, Sweet Southern BBQ, Sweet Chili and Sour Cream and assorted multi-packs.

Miss Vickie's chips recalled over glass

NDP to put wealth tax on Commons agenda: Singh

NDP to put wealth tax on Commons agenda: Singh
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Singh says people are worried about the cost of the pandemic because they don't want to carry the burden of increasing public debt.

NDP to put wealth tax on Commons agenda: Singh

WATCH: Trump Declares Victory | Biden Calls For Faith USElections 2020

WATCH: Trump Declares Victory | Biden Calls For Faith USElections 2020
President Donald Trump declares victory in the election even though ballots are still to be counted. It wasn’t immediately clear what Trump meant, as states including Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia and others are counting legally cast votes.

WATCH: Trump Declares Victory | Biden Calls For Faith USElections 2020

Severe COVID cases may continue to rise: Tam

Severe COVID cases may continue to rise: Tam
Dr. Theresa Tam says hospitalizations and deaths tend to lag behind new cases by one or more weeks, raising concerns that Canada has yet to see the full extent of impacts associated with increasing COVID-19 transmission in many parts of the country.

Severe COVID cases may continue to rise: Tam

Close U.S. election shows power of individual vote

Close U.S. election shows power of individual vote
As results trickled in from those key states on Wednesday, anxious expat Americans from those states watched the ongoing count with at least some degree of satisfaction.

Close U.S. election shows power of individual vote