If you live in Saint John, you need to know about a major shift in local crime statistics. New numbers from Statistics Canada show Saint John experienced the largest increase in its Crime Severity Index of any metropolitan area in the country for 2025.

According to a recent report from CTV News, New Brunswick stands as the only province in Canada to see its crime severity score go up year over year. The provincial index hit 90.4, which is a six percent increase from 2024.

What the Numbers Show

The Crime Severity Index measures the volume and seriousness of police reported crime. While the traditional crime rate treats all offences equally, this index gives more weight to violent and severe crimes.

In the Saint John census metropolitan area, the index jumped 20 percent to a value of 70.0. This area includes data from the Saint John Police Force, Kennebecasis Regional Police, Hampton RCMP, and Grand Bay Westfield RCMP. Other New Brunswick cities also saw increases. Moncton went up 11 percent to 105.6, and Fredericton rose seven percent to 80.5.

Driving Factors Behind the Increase

A rise in violent crime directly influenced these new figures. The Saint John Police Force investigated six homicides and two attempted homicides in 2025. This compares to three homicides the previous year.

“The seriousness of those offences would significantly impact the CSI,” the Saint John Police Force said in a statement.

National Trends Tell a Different Story

While New Brunswick numbers climb, the national picture looks different. The national Crime Severity Index dropped to 75.01. This marks the second consecutive annual decrease across Canada. The overall national crime rate also fell by two percent.

Statistics Canada notes fewer reports of homicides, fraud, extortion, and car thefts nationally. However, shoplifting incidents under $5,000 increased by 11 percent across the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Crime Severity Index?

The Crime Severity Index is a Statistics Canada measurement that tracks changes in the volume and severity of police reported crime. It assigns greater weight to more serious offences.

Why did the index increase so much in Saint John?

The Saint John Police Force investigated double the number of homicides in 2025 compared to 2024. The severe nature of these crimes heavily impacts the overall index score.

Did crime go up everywhere in Canada?

No. The national Crime Severity Index decreased for the second year in a row. New Brunswick was the only province to record an increase in 2025.