Property Crime Statistics

At some point in virtually everyone’s life, they’ll have some property stolen or damaged, with or without the threat of force. This can include burglary, theft (larceny), breaking and entering, vandalism, and arson. And if you ask the average person, the risk for property crime has only gone up. According to property crime statistics, however, the risk has actually been trending down since around the year 2000. In fact, the property crime rate was nearly 30% less in 2020 than it was in the peak year of 2003. What’s more, how severe property crimes are has also declined over that period of time.

Unfortunately, not all Canadian territories have experienced the same drop. For instance, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon experience property crime statistics that are much higher than the national average. 

And even with the decreasing numbers in many territories, there are still more than a million property crime violations reported in Canada per year—that’s over half of all reported crimes. The two most common are breaking and entering (with one break-in occurring every three minutes) and motor vehicle thefts (with one occurring every seven minutes).

While property crimes are typically non-violent, they are still costly, intrusive, jarring, inconvenient, and can feel violating. 

The Number of Property Crimes in Canada from 2000 to 2020

From a high peak in the year 2003, property crime dropped significantly nearly every year until 2014, when the numbers made an upturn in 2015 through 2019 followed by a significant drop in 2020. 

Find more statistics at  Statista

Find more statistics at  Statista

Different types of property crime include fraud or deception, stealth, destruction, or even illegal trafficking of someone else’s property. The majority of property crimes occur in homes and residences, followed by vehicles, and it typically involves no violence. But it’s still a costly and inconvenient invasion, so it’s important to protect your property and belongings. 

While there are many factors that affect property crime, some of the most commonly cited are poverty, unemployment, mental health issues, and other socioeconomic factors. 

How to Protect Your Home and Family from Becoming a Property Crime Statistic

While we all hope that property crimes continue to decrease, hope isn’t the best way to protect yourself or your family from becoming property crime statistics. To help avoid being a victim of a property crime, here are some simple steps you can take:

• Keep doors and windows locked with good, solid, and secure locks. 
• Set up timed lights when you will be away from your home.
• Install doorbell cameras.
• Ask a neighbor to pick up your mail or request that your mail be paused, so your home doesn’t look empty if you will be away for a few days.
• Light up your home, especially in doorways or around walkways, with motion sensor lights.
• Make sure your house number is easily visible from the street.
• Clear out areas around doors and windows to reduce places for prospective thieves to hide.
• Avoid placing expensive valuables in clear sight from windows or, alternatively, draw curtains to ensure they’re not easily visible.
• Lock up valuables like jewelry and collectibles in a safe.
• Mark your valuables and keep a record of what you have.
• Bring in and secure expensive items like bicycles, ladders, and tools.
• Avoid leaving automatic garage door openers in cars parked in the driveway (rather than the garage).
• Make friends with your neighbors and consider starting a neighborhood watch program—getting to know your neighbors is one of the best defenses against property crimes by giving criminals fewer opportunities to stake out or break into your home or vehicle. 
• Consider installing a quality home security system.

Benefits of Home Security Systems

Because property thieves want to avoid unwanted attention—choosing to get in and get out quickly without alerting anyone—the homes with security system signage, security cameras, and video doorbells tend to be targeted last and are often completely avoided. And if your home is targeted, help is deployed immediately. What’s more, integrated home security systems can now include smart-home devices, lighting, and motion to help protect the home. That’s in addition to:

• 24-hour monitoring for a quick response 
• Central control points for your alarm system with one-touch communication for rapid response when you need it
• Mobile app for easy yet secure access to cameras, doorbells, lights, locks, and even thermostats, even if you’re away from home
• Back-up batteries, so your home stays protected even if a storm knocks out the power
• Yard signs and window decals that show your home isn’t easy prey.

In addition, trusted home security partners can also offer protection from other risks, including carbon monoxide, loss from fire and flood, and even medical emergencies, providing you with complete peace of mind, so you can always feel secure in your home. 

Regardless of where you live in Canada, an ADT (now Telus) monitored alarm system from Alarm Guard will keep you feeling secure and protect your assets. Save now on your homeowner’s insurance with an ADT (now Telus) system! Check out our packages

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