There has been an increase in those who reported feeling crime has increased. In 2014, 18% of respondents felt crime had increased. 2017 and 2020 saw a upward trend, to 34% in 2020. In the one-year period between 2020 and 2021, the feeling that crime has increased rose 21 points to 54% of respondents. The increased perception of crime over the last five years mirrors the trend in the increase on both the crime rate and the crime severity index over a similar time period. VicPD’s jurisdiction of Victoria and Esquimalt has the highest crime severity index of any jurisdiction in BC that is policed by a municipal police service. Decrease in Crime 
There has been a decrease in those who reported feeling crime has decreased. In 2014, 22% of respondents felt crime had decreased. There was a drop in this figure between 2017 (19%) and 2020 (9%). In the one-year period between 2020 and 2021, the feeling that crime has decreased fell from 9% to 6%. Remained the same 
Similarly, there has also been a decrease in those who reported feeling crime has remained the same. This measure showed little variation, from 56% in 2014, to 52% in 2017, and back to 56% in 2020. In the one-year period between 2020 and 2021 however, the feeling that crime has remained the same fell significantly, by 17 points to 39%. Our Key InsightsThe largest change in these measures is the one-year jump of 21% of those reporting that crime has increased. That increase appears to account for the drop in those who feel crime over the last five years has remained the same or decreased. Up next | Do respondents feel safe in Victoria’s Downtown and Esquimalt Plaza?Next week, we’ll look at another survey question as to whether or not respondents feel safe in Victoria’s Downtown and Esquimalt Plaza. For the full survey details, including responses to all the questions, methodology and percentage of error visit: https://vicpd.ca/open-vicpd/community-survey/ -30-
