Crime rates in Nova Scotia saw a slight uptick last year, despite a decrease in crime severity within the province and nationally, as per a recent report from Statistics Canada in July. The crime rate, which measures the volume of crime per person regardless of severity, rose by one percent in Nova Scotia, reaching 6,147 incidents per 100,000 individuals in 2025, marking the highest level since 2012.

This increase in Nova Scotia contrasts with the two percent decline in the national crime rate. Nova Scotia’s crime rate surpassed the national average of 5,585 incidents per 100,000 individuals. Notably, the surge in minor offenses such as shoplifting and low-level assaults contributed to the overall rise in the 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 past decade in Nova Scotia, with a 23 percent increase from 2024 to 2025 alone. Giacomantonio attributed this rise to inflation and the increased cost of living leading to widespread financial struggles.

Although Nova Scotia reported a lower crime rate compared to most other provinces and territories, Giacomantonio expressed more concern about the provincial crime rate being higher than it was ten years ago rather than how it compares to other regions.

Despite the increase in the overall crime rate, Nova Scotia witnessed a three percent drop in the crime severity index last year. This index evaluates the number and seriousness of all police-reported crimes relative to the population. Giacomantonio explained that the discrepancy between the rising crime rate and declining severity index is due to an increase in minor crimes and a decrease in major offenses.

While the decrease in crime severity is a positive development, Giacomantonio highlighted a worrisome 34 percent increase in violent incidents in Nova Scotia since 2016. He emphasized the importance of community-level interventions over short-term solutions like increased police presence for tackling this trend effectively.

In response to the rising crime rates, the Department of Justice in Nova Scotia expressed concerns and emphasized their commitment to supporting community safety initiatives by investing more in policing. Giacomantonio cautioned against overreacting to slight increases in crime rates, emphasizing that individual experiences of crime are often influenced by factors like location and socioeconomic status rather than the overall crime rate.

The Nova Scotia RCMP declined to speculate on the factors driving changes in crime rates without a detailed analysis but reiterated their focus on collaborating with policing and community partners to ensure public safety. Nova Scotia’s performance on the crime severity index outpaced the national average, despite the crime rate decreasing by five percent nationwide last year.