Halton police are facing challenges with solving a significant portion of their cases, as their clearance rate dropped to just 34.9% in 2024, down from 38.3% the previous year. Chief among the concerns is the rise in property crimes and fraud, which are harder to solve and contribute to the overall decrease in cleared cases.
The annual report, presented at the Halton Police Board meeting on March 28, revealed several notable trends in local crime. In total, 15,967 criminal offences were reported in Halton in 2024, a 4.6% increase from the previous year. However, factoring in regional population growth, this translates to just a 0.4% increase in crime rate.
Violent Crime Decreases, Property Crime Rises
Violent crime, which includes incidents such as sexual assaults and assaults, saw a 5.6% decrease, from 2,518 incidents in 2023 to 2,377 in 2024. Notably, sexual assaults dropped by 13.9%, while assaults decreased by 0.6%. However, robberies saw an 11.1% increase.
On the other hand, property crime surged by 10.7%, from 11,254 incidents in 2023 to 12,455 in 2024. While auto theft decreased by about 20% to 1,200 incidents, the increase in break and enters (up 15%) and thefts (up 4.4%) worsened the overall crime picture.
Fraud Cases Skyrocket
The most significant rise in crime came from fraud, which soared by 39.1% in 2024. Deputy Chief Jeff Hill suggested the increase in fraud cases was linked to growing technology use and more online activity. “The rise in fraud is partly driven by the growing amount of time people spend online,” he explained, adding that the definition of fraud may sometimes be broad, with reports such as people not receiving what they expected from online marketplaces like Kijiji.
Clearance Rate and Challenges
Despite the increase in cases, Halton police managed to clear only a small portion of the crimes. Chief Stephen Tanner highlighted that property crimes remain the primary obstacle to higher clearance rates. These crimes often lack witnesses or physical evidence, making them difficult to solve. Tanner noted that the property crime clearance rate in Halton, and across Canada, is considerably lower than for violent crimes.
Tanner pointed out that although Halton police recover about 60% of stolen vehicles, the case is not considered solved unless someone is arrested.
Bail Violations and the Justice System
The report also revealed a concerning trend in bail violations, with 456 individuals arrested for breaching their bail conditions in 2024, making up 11.4% of all arrests. Some of the repeat offenders included in the bail violations were arrested for serious crimes such as intimate partner violence and breaking and entering.
Board member Jane McKenna raised concerns about the perceived leniency in the judicial system, noting that suspects are often released shortly after their arrests, contributing to the cycle of repeat offences. Tanner described the number of bail violations as “alarmingly high” and emphasized that the penalties for reoffending are insufficient to deter criminals, particularly those involved in property crimes like break-ins and thefts.
The Need for Justice System Reform
Tanner pointed out that Ontario’s correctional facilities are overcrowded, with Maplehurst Correctional Facility operating at 140% capacity. He called for greater investment in the correctional system, including more facilities, judges, and court resources, to ensure that offenders are held accountable and that cases proceed to court in a timely manner.
Tanner argued that without these changes, the justice system would continue to struggle, with cases being delayed or even dismissed due to the lack of judicial resources. He stressed the need for a broader approach to dealing with repeat offenders and improving the effectiveness of the justice system.
As Halton police work to improve their clearance rates and address rising crime trends, the force continues to focus on strengthening partnerships and leveraging resources to tackle the growing challenges posed by property crimes and fraud.
