Statistics from the RCMP are showing there was a 150 per cent increase in the number of homicide investigations last year.
According to the semi-annual crime data from the Halifax Regional Detachment of the RCMP, last year officers investigated five homicides. In both 2023 and 2022, there were two homicide cases for the detachment.
Halifax Regional Police (HRP) noted that between July and December last year, officers investigated one homicide. During that time, police also investigated six attempted murder cases, double the cases from 2023.
Attempted murder investigation came down from five in 2022 to four in 2024, for the RCMP. Assaults rose slightly by 5.27 per cent between 2023 and 2024.
Across both policing agencies, the data show an increase in theft investigations.
HRP said that thefts both under and over $5,000 have increased year-over-year. Police said that there has been a 39.19 per cent increase in theft over $5,000 from July to December 2024 compared to the same time in 2023.
Theft under $5,000 had a jump of 28.58 per cent over that period.
RCMP are reporting that theft over $5,000 decreased 18.18 per cent in 2024, but theft under $5,000 increased 21.27 per cent.
HRP are reporting an increase in traffic collisions with an increase of 156 crashes more between July and December in 2024 compared to 2022. During this period, two people died as a result and 241 were injured.
RCMP’s Halifax detachment said there were 2,063 collisions last year, a 6.95 per cent increase. However, eight people died, double the number of vehicle-related fatalities in 2023, and 342 suffered injuries.
