CRIME RATE: A 25 YEAR LOW

According to Statistics Canada, the national crime rate fell to its
lowest level in 25 years last year. Since 1991, the crime rate is
down by 30 per cent after steadily increasing through the '60s, '70s and '80s.

One exception is youth crime, which rose three per cent last year --
the first increase since 2003. The 2006 rate of youths accused of
homicide was the highest since 1961, when data were first collected.

Here's what's been happening in a variety of Criminal Code categories:

Homicide:

Down 10 per cent in 2006 and 14 per cent since 1996. The homicide
rate peaked at 3.03 per 100,000 in 1975 and declined to 1.85 last
year, though it rose in 2004 and 2005. Last year, one in six
homicides was linked to organized crime or street gangs.

Gun-related homicide:

Down 16 per cent in 2006 after rising in the previous three years.
Down 10 per cent since 1996.

Attempted murder:

Up three per cent last year, but down 12 per cent since 1996.

Assault:

No change in 2006 and down one per cent since 1996.

Sexual assault:

Down seven per cent last year and down by 26 per cent since 1996.

Aggravated sexual assault:

Up three per cent in 2006 but down 44 per cent since 1996.

Robbery:

Up six per cent in 2006 but down 12 per cent since 1996.

Robbery using firearms:

Up four per cent last year, but down 51 per cent in the past decade.

All violent crime:

No change in 2006 but down five per cent since 1996.

Break and enter:

At lowest level in more than 30 years. Down five per cent in 2006 and
43 per cent since 1996.

Motor vehicle theft:

Down two per cent in 2006 and 20 per cent in a decade.

Property crime:

Down four per cent in 2006 and down 32 per cent in a decade.

Impaired driving:

Down six per cent last year and down 30 per cent since 1996.

Aggravated assault:

Up five per cent last year and up nine per cent in the past decade.

Bail violations:

Up four per cent in 2006 and up 40 per cent since 1996.

Kidnapping/forcible confinement:

Up 12 per cent in 2006 and up 108 per cent in the past decade.

Drug offences:

Up two per cent in 2006 and up 33 per cent in the past decade.

Cocaine:

Up 13 per cent last year and up 75 per cent in a decade.

Other drugs:

Up eight per cent in 2006 and 97 per cent since 1996.

Cannabis possession:

No change in 2006 but up 19 per cent in a decade.

Counterfeiting:

Down 29 per cent last year but up 426 per cent since 1996.