Sask. has the highest provincial crime rate in Canada and the most severe crimes, too

This province has the highest crime severity index and crime rate in Canada.

Firearms incidents jumped up 233% in Regina in 2016

CBC News Posted: Jul 24, 2017 12:06 PM EDT | Last Updated: July 24, 2017

Saskatchewan continues to have the highest crime rate and crime severity index in Canada. (Trevor Aikman/CBC)

Saskatchewan's crime rate rose for the second consecutive year, jumping about four per cent in 2016.

This provincehas the highest crime severity index and crime rate in Canada. Saskatchewan's crime severity index rose by nine per cent.

Regina's crime rate wentup more than 11 per cent in 2016. Firearms offences jumped 233 per cent in the city with 58 incidents, up from 17 in 2015.

Violent crime increased more than seven per cent in 2016.

Regina police and the RCMP's F division responded to the report.

Chief Bray: We need to look at what causes crime; what are the underlying issues? Address homelessness, addictions, gang issues, poverty.
—@reginapolice

Chief Bray: crime is not tied to race or ethnicity but crime is driven by its connection to marginalization, poverty and vulnerability.
—@reginapolice

RCMP said the rise of the crime severity index "was primarily driven by an increase in the number of homicides" in a press release.

In 2016, there were 35 homicides in the province, up from 25 in 2015. Regina saweight homicides in 2016, one less than in 2015.

The RCMP said it will put extra emphasis on disrupting gang activity and are working with community members and organizations to develop crime reduction initiatives within the division.

Child pornography offences jumped in Regina in 2016, after two years of decline in 2014 and 2015. There were 29 child pornography incidents in 2016, a 41 per cent increase over the 20 incidents in 2015. There were also 16 incidents of making or distribution of child pornography in Regina during the same time.

Violent crime involving youth decreased by more than seven per cent.

Crime decreased in six provinces and territories but Saskatchewan saw an increase, as did Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba and Nunvaut.

Saskatchewan saw its crime rate increase four per cent in 2016. Click the image for a larger version. (Statistics Canada)

Regina and Saskatoon have had the highest crime severity index numbers among Canadian metropolitan areas since 2010. Both saw increases in 2016.

Violent crime in Canada was essentially unchanged in 2016. Crime rates have mostly been on a downward trend since 1991.

MORE SASKATCHEWAN NEWS |HIV-positive status to factor into Regina rapist's sentence, but not criminal charge
MORE SASKATCHEWAN NEWS |Crime Stoppers asks public to ID woman in white powder confessional

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News

Corrections and clarifications|Submit a news tip|