Montreal sees 55% drop in firearm-related crime over the past year

09:42

By: Azzat Manal

Montreal sees 55% drop in firearm-related crime over the past year

Montreal recorded a significant decline in firearm-related crime over the past year, with incidents falling by 55% compared with the peak reached in 2021, a period that the Montreal Police Service had previously described as a particularly difficult phase for public safety.

The figures were included in the police department’s latest annual report, which points to an overall improvement in several major categories of crime across the Canadian city. Authorities said the trend reflects a number of positive developments, although some forms of offending continued to increase.

Homicide attempts fell by 25% during the period under review, while vehicle theft declined by 24.3%. Arson offences also decreased, dropping by 8.8%, according to the report.

Montreal recorded 31 homicides in 2025, the same number reported in both 2023 and 2024. Police said the homicide clearance rate reached 81%, indicating that a large majority of cases were solved or otherwise cleared by investigators.

The decline in firearm-related offences represents one of the most notable improvements. The reduction is particularly significant when compared with 2021, when Montreal experienced a surge in gun-related violence that prompted heightened concerns among residents and authorities.

Despite the overall downward trend, the police report also identified areas where crime increased. Reported sexual assaults rose by 5.7%, with police noting that the increase may partly reflect a greater willingness among victims to report incidents to authorities.

Authorities also recorded a 5.8% increase in break-and-enter offences. The rise highlights the fact that improvements in violent crime do not necessarily translate into declines across every category of criminal activity.

Police nevertheless described the overall results as encouraging, pointing to what they called numerous positive indicators in the city’s public safety situation. The department maintained that Montreal remains a safe city despite continuing challenges in certain areas.

The latest figures also illustrate the importance of examining crime trends over several years rather than focusing on individual categories or isolated incidents. While firearm-related crime has fallen sharply from its 2021 peak, other offences can move in different directions depending on social, economic and policing factors.

For law enforcement authorities, maintaining the downward trend will likely require continued efforts to prevent gun violence, investigate serious offences and address the conditions that contribute to crime. Cooperation between police, local communities and social services can also play an important role in sustaining improvements in public safety.

The decline in firearm-related crime comes as Canadian cities continue to monitor violence involving illegal firearms and organized criminal groups. Montreal’s latest figures provide a more positive picture compared with the difficult period experienced several years ago, while also showing that some crime categories remain a concern.

Overall, the annual report presents a mixed but largely positive picture of public safety in Montreal. The sharp reduction in firearm-related offences, alongside declines in attempted killings, vehicle theft and arson, stands in contrast to increases in reported sexual assaults and break-ins. Police therefore face the challenge of preserving the gains already achieved while responding to emerging areas of concern.