Decrease Across Many Major Crime Categories So Far in 2026

Several major crime categories have seen a decrease when comparing statistics from January to June in 2025 to the same period in 2026. The most significant decline is seen in vehicle thefts and both residential and commercial break and enters.

We’ve seen a 25% drop in the number of break and enters at homes across York Region. In April, the Integrated Property Crime Task Force (IPCTF) announced the results of Project Fortis which yielded 33 arrests and the recovery of more than $2 million in stolen goods.

Commercial break and enters have also seen a major decline compared to this point last year with a 34% decrease.

These numbers not only reflect the hard work of investigators but the diligence of residents to report suspicious behaviour in their neighbourhoods and take extra safety precautions to protect their homes and businesses.

While auto theft has become a lucrative part of the sinister industry that is organized crime, York Region has grown into a less-than-ideal target in 2026. The efforts of York Region residents to protect their vehicles using our recommended six steps are paying off and will continue to be a key factor in keeping these numbers trending down. Another round of Operation Auto Guard and the tireless efforts of our investigators, aided by the increased presence of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, has once again delivered a strong result, leading to a 37% drop in the number of vehicle thefts in York Region thus far this year. Recently, you may have seen ALPR technology and our Real Time Operations Centre (RTOC) combine to identify a stolen transport truck from the Halton Region. With the help of the Canine and Air Support Units, the hiding suspects were quickly found and arrested; residents are starting to take note.

So far, York Region has also seen a 20% decrease in robberies thanks to extra awareness and efforts to thwart distraction thefts. For example, in May of this year, reports from an observant citizen in Vaughan led to the disruption of an attempted jewelry distraction theft and the arrest of three suspects.

Residents are encouraged to share these tips with anyone in their life who may be vulnerable to distraction thefts.

Overall, there has been a decrease across all major crime categories so far in 2026.

Through ongoing projects and new initiatives, our commitment to keep you safe and secure continues.

This has also been made possible thanks to the hard work, dedication and collaboration of our provincial and national policing partners through a number of joint operations, projects and initiatives. 

But like you, we are not satisfied. 

Public safety is a shared responsibility. So please, continue to report suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood to police. Your vigilance helps to keep us all safe.

For more statistics, visit the Community Safety Data Portal on yrp.ca