Crime rates in Nova Scotia saw a slight uptick last year, even as crime severity decreased in both the province and nationally, as per a recent report by Statistics Canada in July. The crime rate, measuring the volume of crime per capita irrespective of severity, rose by one percent in Nova Scotia. With 6,147 incidents per 100,000 individuals in 2025, this rate is the highest since 2012.
In contrast to the national trend of a two percent drop in the crime rate, Nova Scotia surpassed the national average of 5,585 incidents per 100,000 people. Notably, an increase in minor offenses like shoplifting and low-level assaults contributed to the overall rise in the crime rate, as highlighted by Chris Giacomantonio, a criminologist and director of the Clairmont Centre for Community Safety Research at Dalhousie University.
Shoplifting incidents under $5,000 surged by approximately 860 percent over the past decade in Nova Scotia, including a 23 percent increase from 2024 to 2025. Giacomantonio attributes this rise to inflation and the rising cost of living, leading to increased financial pressures.
Despite the increase, Nova Scotia reported a lower crime rate compared to most other provinces and territories, with only Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec having lower rates. Giacomantonio emphasized more concern about the provincial crime rate being higher than a decade ago, irrespective of its comparison to other regions.
While the crime rate escalated, Nova Scotia witnessed a three percent decline in the crime severity index last year. This index assesses the number and seriousness of all police-reported crimes relative to the population. Giacomantonio explained that the discrepancy between the rising crime rate and falling severity index is due to an increase in minor crimes and a decrease in major offenses.
Despite the decline in crime severity, the increase in minor crimes can still impact people’s sense of safety on a daily basis. Giacomantonio stressed the importance of considering both the crime rate and severity index when evaluating public safety.
The Nova Scotia RCMP refrained from speculating on the factors influencing changes in crime rates without a thorough analysis. The RCMP spokesperson, Allison Gerrard, reaffirmed the focus on collaboration with policing and community partners to enhance safety in Nova Scotia.
The slight improvement in Nova Scotia’s crime severity index compared to the national average is a positive step. However, Giacomantonio expressed concern about the sustained rise in violent incidents in Nova Scotia, which has surged by 34 percent since 2016. He emphasized the necessity of community-level interventions to effectively address this issue.
Responding to the increase in overall crime, the Department of Justice in Nova Scotia deemed it “concerning” and emphasized support for community safety initiatives by bolstering investments in policing. Giacomantonio underlined that crime rates are not a definitive measure of safety and that a marginal increase should not necessarily trigger alarm.
In conclusion, while the crime rates provide a signal, they do not offer a complete explanation of safety levels. Giacomantonio stressed that individual experiences of crime are more influenced by factors like neighborhood and socioeconomic status rather than the overall crime rate.
