StatsCan: Violent crimes down, murder up

StatsCan says the 2 million reported crimes last year was the lowest total in the last 40 years.

The drop in crime was seen throughout the country and for most offences, including attempted murders, major assaults, sexual assaults, robberies, break-ins and motor vehicle thefts.

Offences that increased in 2011 were homicide, sexual offences against children, child pornography, impaired driving and most drug offences.

Despite the overall drop in violent crime, Canada’s homicide rate rose 7 percent in 2011 to 1.7 homicides per 100,000 population. Police reported 598 homicides in 2011, 44 more than in 2010.

Video: Adam Atkinson reports: