Crime rates in Nova Scotia saw a slight uptick last year, despite a decrease in crime severity in the province and nationwide, as per a recent report from Statistics Canada in July. The crime rate, which measures the number of crimes per capita, rose by one percent in Nova Scotia, reaching 6,147 incidents per 100,000 people in 2025, the highest level since 2012.
This increase in Nova Scotia contrasts with the national trend, where the crime rate decreased by two percent. Nova Scotia’s crime rate surpassed the national average of 5,585 incidents per 100,000 people. The surge in minor offenses like shoplifting and low-level assaults played a significant role in the rising crime rate, according to Chris Giacomantonio, a criminologist and director of the Clairmont Centre for Community Safety Research at Dalhousie University.
Shoplifting cases under $5,000 surged by approximately 860 percent over the past decade in Nova Scotia, including a 23 percent increase from 2024 to 2025. Giacomantonio attributed this spike to inflation and the high cost of living leading to increased financial struggles.
Nova Scotia reported a lower crime rate compared to most provinces and territories, with only Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec having lower rates. However, Giacomantonio expressed more concern about the provincial crime rate surpassing the levels from a decade ago rather than how it compares to other regions.
While the crime rate rose, Nova Scotia’s crime severity index decreased by three percent last year. This index assesses the number and seriousness of police-reported crimes relative to the population. Giacomantonio explained that the increase in minor crimes and decrease in major offenses contributed to the discrepancy between the growing crime rate and declining severity index.
Despite the drop in crime severity, the increase in minor crimes in everyday life may impact people’s sense of safety. The Nova Scotia RCMP refrained from speculating on the factors influencing crime rate changes without a detailed analysis. The RCMP remains committed to collaborating with policing and community partners to enhance public safety.
Although Nova Scotia fared slightly better on the crime severity index compared to the national average, Giacomantonio expressed concern about the sustained rise in violent incidents in the province, which has surged by 34 percent since 2016. He emphasized the importance of investing in community-level interventions to address such issues effectively.
In response to the increase in overall crime, the Department of Justice in Nova Scotia highlighted the importance of supporting community safety initiatives through increased investment in policing. Giacomantonio emphasized that crime rates do not provide a comprehensive view of safety and that a slight provincial increase should not necessarily trigger alarm.
He noted that individual experiences with crime are often influenced by factors like neighborhood and income rather than the overall crime rate. Overall, while the slight rise in crime rates is a concern, it serves as a signal rather than a full explanation of safety levels.