Brutality Canada

Break-in rates fall

Tuesday, December 19, 2000
 
OTTAWA (CP) -- The rate of residential break-ins in Canada fell last year to its lowest level in two decades, police figures indicate.

There were just under 200,000 break-ins in 1999, down substantially from 250,000 in 1991, figures compiled by Statistics Canada from police show.

"The rate of 649 break-ins for every 100,000 population in 1999 was down 11 per cent from 1998, and was the lowest since 1978," the agency said.

The agency noted Tuesday that not all break-ins are reported.

It says a possible reason may be an increase in insurance deductible amounts in recent years.

The main targets in break-ins were TVs, VCRs, stereos and computers. The most common time for break-ins was summer, with the fewest in January and May.

"Residential break-ins accounted for 62 per cent of the police-reported total in 1999. A further 26 per cent ... occurred at businesses and the remaining 12 per cent at other types of properties such as garages and storage facilities."

Saskatchewan had the highest rate of residential break-ins, followed by Quebec.

The lowest rates were in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Montreal had the highest rate among big cities; Toronto had the lowest.

The statistics indicate that 58 per cent of people accused of committing a break-in were strangers to the victim, while 24 per cent were "casual acquaintances."

Some 58 per cent of the incidents reported involved a weapon -- in 22 per cent of cases it was a firearm, and 21 per cent it was a knife.

The agency reported that a decline in break-ins at businesses has accompanied the drop in break-ins in homes.

The 1999 rate for businesses was 275 for every 100,000 population, a 43 per cent decline since a peak in 1991. The most popular stolen items were consumable goods like liquor and cigarettes, followed by cash.

The agency also found that more than one third of those charged with break-ins were aged 12 to 17. In comparison, youths account for 45 per cent of persons charged for arson, and for 40 per cent for car theft.

It also found that more than 40 per cent of break-in cases that end up in youth court involve repeat youth offenders. However, those repeat offenders were treated more harshly by the courts than first-time offenders.

In 1998-99, some 58 per cent of repeat offenders received custody, while 17 per cent of first-time offenders did.

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This page created December 23,2000