Crime rates in Nova Scotia saw a slight increase last year, despite a decrease in crime severity both in the province and nationally, as reported by Statistics Canada in July. The crime rate, which measures the volume of crime per capita regardless of severity, rose by one percent in Nova Scotia. The 2025 rate of 6,147 incidents per 100,000 people is the highest since 2012.
This increase in the provincial crime rate contrasts with the national trend, where the crime rate decreased by two percent. Nova Scotia’s crime rate surpassed the national rate of 5,585 incidents per 100,000 people. The rise in minor offenses like shoplifting and low-level assault contributed significantly to the increasing crime rate, according to Chris Giacomantonio, a criminologist and director of the Clairmont Centre for Community Safety Research at Dalhousie University.
Shoplifting incidents under $5,000 surged by about 860 percent over the last decade in Nova Scotia, with a 23 percent increase from 2024 to 2025. Giacomantonio attributed this rise to inflation and the high cost of living causing widespread financial difficulties.
Although Nova Scotia reported a lower crime rate compared to most provinces and territories, concerns were raised about the increase in the provincial crime rate over the past decade. Giacomantonio emphasized the importance of monitoring the rising crime rate independently of how other provinces are faring.
While the crime rate increased, Nova Scotia’s crime severity index dropped by three percent last year. This index considers the number and seriousness of all police-reported crimes relative to the population. The decrease in the severity index was due to a rise in minor crimes and a decline in major crimes, according to Giacomantonio.
Giacomantonio highlighted the significance of both the crime rate and crime severity index in discussions around public safety, noting that people are more likely to encounter minor crimes in their daily lives, which can impact their sense of safety.
The Nova Scotia RCMP refrained from speculating on the factors influencing changes in crime rates without conducting a detailed analysis, emphasizing their commitment to collaborating with policing and community partners to ensure public safety.
In an email to CBC News, Department of Justice spokesperson Adèle Poirier expressed concern over the overall increase in crime and emphasized the province’s efforts to support community safety initiatives by investing more in policing.
While a slight increase in the provincial crime rate may not necessarily signal alarm, Giacomantonio stressed that crime rates are not a definitive indicator of safety. He emphasized that individuals’ likelihood of experiencing crime is more influenced by their immediate environment and socioeconomic status than by the overall crime rate.