Breaking‑and‑entering accounts for a significant share of property crime in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, there were approximately 121,000 residential break‑ins reported in 2024, equating toroughly 293 incidents per 100,000 people– down 11% from the previous year. Still, certain cities stand out with higher rates of residential theft.
🏘️ 1. Lethbridge, Alberta
Lethbridge recorded the highest property crime rate in Canada (5,521 per 100,000) in 2023, more than double the national urban average. While that includes all property offences, home break-ins are a significant contributor to this number.
📊 2. Kelowna, British Columbia
With a CSI around 61.6 and a property crime rate near 4,778 per 100,000, Kelowna ranks among the toughest cities for home safety, spurred by theft trends and seasonal burglary spikes.
📍 3. Winnipeg, Manitoba (North End Neighbourhoods)
Entire neighbourhood clusters in Winnipeg—such as Lord Selkirk Park, North Point Douglas, and South Portage—have historically topped national charts for break‑in and robbery rates. In 2012, break-ins in some of these areas hit rates over 1,960 per 100,000 residents.
🔎 Additional Key Cities & Context
- Surrey, BC leads Canadian metros with a Crime Index of 64.7, driven partly by property theft and residential break-ins.
- Brampton, Ontario has spiked in property crime and car theft in 2025, suggesting break-in risks are higher there too.
- Other cities with elevated property crime rates include Kamloops, Regina, and London, Ontario. While overall CSI data covers broader offences, experts note break‑in rates are notably elevated in certain neighbourhoods within each city.
📋 Snapshot of Break-In Risk by City
| City | Property Crime Rate (/100K) | Notables on Residential Break-Ins |
|---|---|---|
| Lethbridge, AB | ~5,521 | Highest overall; burglary contributor |
| Kelowna, BC | ~4,778 | Strong seasonal burglary trends |
| Winnipeg, MB | N/A citywide, neighbourhoods 1960+ | Historic hotspots for break-ins |
| Surrey, BC | High CSI (64.7) | Elevated property theft levels |
| Brampton, ON | ~9,100 incidents per 100K | Rising home invasion and auto theft |
🧭 What This Means for You
- Small cities or neighbourhoods often account for a disproportionate number of break-ins, even in safe provinces.
- CrimeSeverity Index is useful but not specific, look for city-level property crime rates and local reports.
- Ontario cities like Toronto or Ottawa typically remain low for residential burglary, while Alberta and BC interior cities show higher rates.
✅ Home Safety Tips
- Use local crime mapping tools (e.g. police dashboards) to research neighbourhood-specific break-in trends.
- Invest in home security: motion-sensor lights, cameras, and smart locks deter most opportunistic thieves.
- Network locally: neighbours and community safety groups often share insights faster than statistics update.
📚 References
- Statistics Canada: Police‑reported breaking and entering data (2024) demonstrates 293 incidents per 100,000 population nationwide.
- Lethbridge and Kelowna property & CSI analysis (2025) identifies them as the most affected areas in Canada.
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