Crime Canada

Latest

  • Front page
  • All news
  • Data and insights

News by province

  • British Columbia
  • Alberta
  • Saskatchewan
  • Manitoba
  • Ontario
  • Quebec
  • New Brunswick
  • Nova Scotia
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Yukon
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nunavut

Police appeals

  • All alerts
  • Missing persons
  • Wanted persons

Explore the data

  • Statistics dashboard
  • Canada overview
  • Crime rate by province
  • Compare cities
  • Metro areas
  • Police areas
  • Crime map

Rankings and reports

  • Safest cities
  • Most dangerous cities
  • Crime Severity Index
  • Crime trends
  • Biggest changes this year
  • Property vs violent crime
  • Is Canada safe?
  • Methodology and sources

By province

  • British Columbia
  • Alberta
  • Saskatchewan
  • Manitoba
  • Ontario
  • Quebec
  • New Brunswick
  • Nova Scotia
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Yukon
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nunavut

Know your options

  • Free consultation
  • Find a criminal lawyer
  • Offence guides
  • Your rights and the courts
  • Find your court date
  • Bail, records and pardons
  • Jails and prisons
  • Understanding crime data
Get helpFree consultationFR
LanguageFR
News

Latest

  • Front page
  • All news
  • Data and insights

News by province

  • British Columbia
  • Alberta
  • Saskatchewan
  • Manitoba
  • Ontario
  • Quebec
  • New Brunswick
  • Nova Scotia
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Yukon
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nunavut
Alerts

Police appeals

  • All alerts
  • Missing persons
  • Wanted persons
Crime statistics

Explore the data

  • Statistics dashboard
  • Canada overview
  • Crime rate by province
  • Compare cities
  • Metro areas
  • Police areas
  • Crime map

Rankings and reports

  • Safest cities
  • Most dangerous cities
  • Crime Severity Index
  • Crime trends
  • Biggest changes this year
  • Property vs violent crime
  • Is Canada safe?
  • Methodology and sources

By province

  • British Columbia
  • Alberta
  • Saskatchewan
  • Manitoba
  • Ontario
  • Quebec
  • New Brunswick
  • Nova Scotia
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Yukon
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nunavut
Legal help

Know your options

  • Free consultation
  • Find a criminal lawyer
  • Offence guides
  • Your rights and the courts
  • Find your court date
  • Bail, records and pardons
  • Jails and prisons
  • Understanding crime data
Free legal consultation
Crime CanadaStatistics DashboardPolice AreasMetro AreasLearn
Report a problem with this page

A mistake, a photo to remove, a person who was found, a publication ban? Tell us. If someone is in danger, call 911.

We use your email only to answer this report.

Stay Updated

Get weekly crime data insights for Canada.

Crime Canada

Crime news, police alerts and official crime statistics from across Canada.

Report a crime: call 911 in an emergency, or your local police non-emergency line.

Newsroom and corrections: [email protected] · +1 778-900-3008 · Contact

North Vancouver, BC V7M 2J7

Coverage+
  • News
  • Police alerts
  • Missing persons
  • Wanted persons
  • Jails and prisons
  • Criminal courts
  • Legal guides
  • Data and insights

Coverage

  • News
  • Police alerts
  • Missing persons
  • Wanted persons
  • Jails and prisons
  • Criminal courts
  • Legal guides
  • Data and insights
Crime statistics+
  • Statistics dashboard
  • Crime rate by province
  • Safest cities
  • Compare cities
  • Crime map
  • Methodology and sources

Crime statistics

  • Statistics dashboard
  • Crime rate by province
  • Safest cities
  • Compare cities
  • Crime map
  • Methodology and sources
Legal help+
  • Free legal consultation
  • Lawyers by city
  • Offence guides
  • Your rights and the courts
  • Understanding crime data

Legal help

  • Free legal consultation
  • Lawyers by city
  • Offence guides
  • Your rights and the courts
  • Understanding crime data
Crime Canada+
  • About
  • Contact and tips
  • For lawyers
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertise
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of use

Crime Canada

  • About
  • Contact and tips
  • For lawyers
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertise
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of use
Major citiesTorontoMontréalVancouverCalgaryEdmontonOttawa-GatineauWinnipegQuébec CityHamiltonKitchener-WaterlooHalifaxSaskatoonReginaVictoria
By provinceBritish ColumbiaAlbertaSaskatchewanManitobaOntarioQuebecNew BrunswickNova ScotiaPrince Edward IslandNewfoundland and LabradorYukonNorthwest TerritoriesNunavut

© 2026 Crime Canada · Charges are allegations. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Data: Statistics Canada. Not affiliated with any government agency.

  1. Home
  2. /Canada
  3. /Nova Scotia

Province · Canada

Nova Scotia crime statistics

A vibrant maritime province with deep historical roots, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and driven by marine industries.

Updated October 26, 2026·Data year 2025·Source: Statistics Canada, police-reported crime·Français

Rankings in Nova Scotia →

Nova Scotia crime statistics, 2025

Key takeaway

In 2025, police reported 73,266 incidents in Nova Scotia, +2.4% from 2024. Its Crime Severity Index was 73.0, against 75.0 for Canada. Police cleared 30.8% of incidents.

Police-reported incidents

73,266

↑ +2.4% vs previous year

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01, 2025

How to read this

Crime Severity Index

73.0

↓ −3.3% vs previous year

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0026-01, 2025

How to read this

Violent Crime Severity Index

89.8

↓ −5.6% vs previous year

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0026-01, 2025

How to read this

Incidents cleared

30.8%

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01, 2025

How to read this

Crime Severity Index, Canada

75.0

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0026-01, 2025

How to read this

Police-reported incidents in Nova Scotia, 1998 to 2025

All violations: Criminal Code, traffic and other federal laws.

025K50K75K100K1998200520122019202573K
  • Nova Scotia
025,00050,00075,000100,0001998200320082013201820232025Nova Scotia 73,266
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01
Show the dataHide the data
Police-reported incidents in Nova Scotia, 1998 to 2025
YearIncidents
199882,469
199985,022
200077,471
200178,216
200278,971
200386,163
200488,252
200582,494
200682,046
200776,904
200872,608
200972,705
201073,827
201169,357
201267,485
201360,490
201458,688
201553,637
201652,700
201754,459
201854,492
201956,956
202057,484
202160,082
202266,025
202368,328
202471,578
202573,266
Download CSV

Crime Severity Index, Nova Scotia and Canada

Weighted by the seriousness of each offence. Canada in 2006 = 100.

60801001201998200520122019202575.073.0
  • Nova Scotia
  • Canada
60801001201998200320082013201820232025Canada 75.0Nova Scotia 73.0
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0026-01
Show the dataHide the data
Crime Severity Index, Nova Scotia and Canada
YearNova ScotiaCanada
1998105.4118.8
1999104.6111.2
200095.3106.7
200192.5105.3
200293.9104.1
2003101.4106.8
2004106.7104.1
2005102.1101.3
2006101.1100
200791.995.3
200884.290.6
200984.087.8
201083.682.9
201179.577.6
201276.975.5
201370.168.9
201466.866.9
201563.370.4
201662.372.0
201766.173.6
201865.375.6
201966.079.7
202071.673.9
202171.674.9
202274.878.8
202374.481.2
202475.578.8
202573.075.0
Download CSV

Most reported offences in Nova Scotia, 2025

  • Shoplifting $5,000 or under9,948
  • Mischief8,810
  • Theft $5,000 or under7,708
  • Assault, level 15,968
  • Fail to comply with order4,736
  • Fraud4,696
  • Uttering threats3,851
  • Theft $5,000 or under from a motor vehicle2,474
  • Breaking and entering2,226
  • Disturb the peace2,170
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01, 2025
Show the dataHide the data
Most reported offences in Nova Scotia, 2025
OffenceIncidents
Shoplifting $5,000 or under9,948
Mischief8,810
Theft $5,000 or under7,708
Assault, level 15,968
Fail to comply with order4,736
Fraud4,696
Uttering threats3,851
Theft $5,000 or under from a motor vehicle2,474
Breaking and entering2,226
Disturb the peace2,170
Download CSV

Types of crime in Nova Scotia, 2025

Share of Criminal Code incidents, excluding traffic.

  • Property crime58.0 %
  • Violent crime25.4 %
  • Other Criminal Code16.6 %
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01, 2025
Show the dataHide the data
Types of crime in Nova Scotia, 2025
TypeIncidents%
Property crime38,97158
Violent crime17,07525.4
Other Criminal Code11,15516.6
Download CSV

Metro areas in Nova Scotia

Crime Severity Index by metro area, Nova Scotia, 2025

Weighted by the seriousness of each offence. Canada in 2006 = 100.

  • Halifax68.6
  • Nova Scotia73.0
  • Canada75.0
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0026-01, 2025
Show the dataHide the data
Crime Severity Index by metro area, Nova Scotia, 2025
Metro areaCrime Severity IndexViolent CSI
Halifax68.689.4
Download CSV

Annual crime reports

One report per year for Nova Scotia: Crime Severity Index trends, violent and property crime, clearance rates and the comparison with Canada, from Statistics Canada.

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021

Charged or under investigation?

Talk to a criminal defence lawyer before you speak to police. Tell us what happened and an independent lawyer will contact you. The first consultation is free and confidential.

Prefer to call? +1 778 900 3008

Crime Canada is not a law firm. We pass your request to an independent criminal defence lawyer, who contacts you directly. General information, not legal advice. How this works

Charged with a crime in Nova Scotia?

Local court process, penalties and how to reach a criminal defence lawyer in Nova Scotia.

  • Criminal defence lawyer in Nova Scotia→
  • Impaired driving (DUI) lawyer in Nova Scotia→
  • Assault lawyer in Nova Scotia→
  • Domestic assault lawyer in Nova Scotia→

More detail

About Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. It is a peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, heavily defined by its deep coastal history, fishing traditions, and the major port city of Halifax.

Population 1,058,694 · 1 metro areas, 95 municipalities · Official website

Metro Areas

1 locations

Halifax

Metro area

Cities, towns and other municipalities

95 locations

Amherst

Town

Annapolis Royal

Town

Antigonish

Town

Barrington

Municipal district

Bridgewater

Town

Cape Breton

Regional municipality

Digby

Town

Guysborough

Municipal district

Halifax

Regional municipality

Regional police services and rural detachments in Nova Scotia →

Related

Crime statistics

Nova Scotia

  • Rankings in Nova Scotia
  • Crime rate by province
  • Canada overview

News and alerts

News from Nova Scotia

  • Nova Scotia crime news
  • Missing persons
  • Wanted by police

Legal guides

Legal guides

  • Criminal offences explained
  • Your rights and the courts

SourcesStatistics Canada

MethodologyEditorial policyCorrections

📰 Nova Scotia Crime News

7 ARTICLES
View All News →

October 30, 2026

Three Charged After 6.2 kg of Fentanyl Seized in Dartmouth Home Search

Halifax Regional Police have charged three people after a search on Elmwood Avenue in Dartmouth turned up 6.2 kg of fentanyl, 1,400 fentanyl…

DartmouthNova Scotia
Read Article→

October 30, 2026

Lucasville Man, 65, Charged With 3 Child Sexual Abuse Material Offences

A 65-year-old Lucasville man faces three charges involving child sexual abuse and exploitation material after police searched his home on Oc…

LucasvilleNova Scotia
Read Article→

October 30, 2026

Nova Scotia RCMP: Christoffer Nelson, 50, Wanted on Province-Wide Warrant

Victoria County District RCMP are asking the public for help finding Christoffer Gaelen Nelson, 50, who is charged with sexual assault.…

Nova Scotia
Read Article→
More Across Canada

October 29, 2026

Surrey Police Seek Video After Car Set on Fire, Bus Vandalized on 91 Avenue

Surrey Police Service is investigating an arson and mischief after a car burned and a bus …

SurreyBritish Columbia
Read Article→

October 29, 2026

Second Suspected Mortar Found by Potato Harvester in North Bedeque Field

A potato harvester picked up a second suspected mortar in two days from a former military …

North BedequePrince Edward Island
Read Article→

October 30, 2026

Pedestrian, 91, Killed After Being Struck by Van North of Port Perry

A 91-year-old man died after he was struck by a southbound van on Simcoe Street at Country…

Port PerryOntario
Read Article→

October 29, 2026

Missing: West Shore RCMP Seek Meike Mantai, 71, Last Seen Driving a White RAV4

West Shore RCMP are asking for help finding Meike Mantai, 71, who was last seen Oct. 27 dr…

British Columbia
Read Article→

Police & Justice

Weighted Clearance Rate2025

i
32.5%

Statistics Canada's severity-weighted clearance rate: solving serious crimes counts more than solving minor ones, so it can differ from the plain share of incidents cleared.

Unfounded Rate2025

i
7.40%
5,856 unfounded|73,266 total

Percentage of reports deemed baseless or false. Lower rates indicate more reliable reporting and thorough follow-up.

Youth Justice2025

i
54.1%
45.9%
1,021 Charged
866 Diverted

Balance between formal charges and diversionary programs for youth offenders.

Clearance by Category

i
Violent Crimes48.5%
8,288 Solved17,075 Total
Property Crimes13.9%
5,403 Solved38,971 Total
Other Offences55.9%
6,239 Solved11,155 Total
Overall30.8%
22,569 Solved73,266 Total

Hate Crimes

i2025
184↑6.4%vs 2024

Police-reported hate crime incidents in Nova Scotia

Hate crime trend (2014–2025)

1882146210201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025

Click on chart to view sub-categories for that year

By Motivation

Statistics Canada publishes only the total for this area, not the motivations. The breakdown by motivation is available for provinces and for Canada.

In 2025, police in Nova Scotia reported 184 hate crimes. That is 6.4% more than in 2024.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0066-01. How we use this data

Homicides

2025i
19↓24.0%vs 2024

Homicide victims in Nova Scotia

(1.74 per 100,000)

Homicide trend (1961–2025)

517284019611970198019902000201020202025

Click on chart to view methods breakdown for that year

By Method

19 victims(-24.0%)Method shares are for all of Canada (not published for Nova Scotia)
🔫Shooting
32.9%
🔪Stabbing
30.5%
👊Beating
20.2%
📋Other methods used
5.1%
⛓️Strangulation
4.9%
❓Methods used unknown
4.6%
🔥Fire (burns or suffocation)
1.8%
Homicide rate:1.74 per 100,000

In 2025, Nova Scotia recorded 19 homicide victims. That is 24% fewer than in 2024. Across Canada, the most common method was Shooting (32.9% of victims). The homicide rate was 1.74 per 100,000 people.

Source: Statistics Canada, Homicide Survey, Tables 35-10-0068-01, 35-10-0069-01, 35-10-0071-01. How we use this data

Impaired Driving

i2025
2,958↑0.5%vs 2024

Impaired driving incidents in Nova Scotia

(270.6 per 100,000)

Impaired driving trend (1998–2025)

2,0072,6683,3293,9911998200020052010201520202025

Click on chart to view breakdown for that year

By Type

2,958 incidents(+0.5%)
🍺Impaired by alcohol
2,10971.3%
🏥Causing bodily harm
190.6%
💀Causing death
40.1%
•Other
82627.9%

1,604

Total Charged

1,584

Adults Charged

20

Youth Charged

Impaired driving rate:270.6 per 100,000

In 2025, police in Nova Scotia reported 2,958 impaired driving incidents. That is 0.5% more than in 2024. The most common type was Impaired by alcohol (2,109 incidents). The rate was 270.6 per 100,000 people. 1,604 people were charged: 1,584 adults and 20 youth.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01. How we use this data

🏘️

Socioeconomic Profile

iCensus 2021

969,383

Population

$62,400

Median Income

12.7%

Unemployment

67.2%

Homeownership

👥 Population

45.6

Median Age

5.0%

Growth (2016–2021)

💰 Income

$87,900

Average Household Income

$71,500

Median Household Income

14.9%

Low Income Prevalence (LIM-AT)

💼 Labour

59.5%

Participation Rate

51.9%

Employment Rate

12.7%

Unemployment Rate

🎓 Education (25–64)

No Certificate
137,525
High School
220,205
Postsecondary
461,580
Bachelor's+
198,725

🏠 Housing

$295,600

Avg. Dwelling Value

$1,083

Avg. Monthly Rent

$1,070

Avg. Mortgage Cost

🌍 Diversity

93,430

Visible Minorities

71,565

Immigrants

52,430

Indigenous Identity

According to the 2021 Census, Nova Scotia had a population of 969,383 (+5.0% change from 2016) with a median age of 45.6. The median after-tax household income was $62,400, and the unemployment rate was 12.7%. Homeownership rate was 67.2% with an average dwelling value of $295,600.

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2021. How we use this data

⚖️

Adult vs Youth Charged

i2025

14,017

Adults Charged

+5.6% YoY

1,021

Youth Charged

+3.9% YoY

6.8%

Youth Share

15,038

Total Charged

Adult rate: 1533.7 per 100,000

Youth rate: 1555.2 per 100,000

05K10K15K20K01K2K3K4K1998200320082013201820232025Adults ▼▼ Youth

2025

Adults: 14,017

Youth: 1,021

Adults (left axis) Youth (right axis)

Dual-axis: each line has its own scale · Click to view year details

Adult Δ (1998–2025)

-10.1%

Youth Δ (1998–2025)

-73.8%

In 2025, police in Nova Scotia charged 14,017 adults and 1,021 youth. Youth were 6.8% of the people charged. Since 1998, charges against youth changed by -73.8% and charges against adults by -10.1%.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01. How we use this data

🖥️Cybercrimei
2025
255.2per 100,000 population
+94%
Since 2014
2023
Peak Year
342.4
Peak Rate
12
Years of Data
1502002503003502025: 255.2 / 100K201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Rate per 100KPeak Year

In 2025, cybercrime in Nova Scotia reached 255.2 per 100,000 people. The peak was 342.4 in 2023.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0002-01. Click chart to select year. How we use this data

🚗Motor Vehicle Theft🟢 BELOW AVGi
2025
1,465incidents
134 per 100,000 population
-56%
Since 1998
12.9%
Solved Rate
2004
Peak Year
2.5%
CSI Impact
Persons Charged121
👤 Adults: 106 (88%)🧑 Youth: 15 (12%)
+ 8 youth diverted (not charged)
How Cases Are Cleared
Cleared by Charge130 (69%)
Cleared Otherwise59 (31%)
"Cleared otherwise" includes cases where charges cannot be laid (e.g., suspect deceased, diplomatic immunity, victim declines).
Unfounded Reports
231
13.6%
of all reported MVT
vs National Average▼ 33% below
This Location134
National Avg200.8
100200300Natl2025: 134 / 100K (1,465)1998200120042007201020132016201920222025
Rate per 100KNational AvgPeak Year (2004)

In 2025, police in Nova Scotia reported 1,465 motor vehicle thefts. That is 134 per 100,000 people. The rate peaked at 334.2 in 2004. 12.9% of cases were cleared.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01. Click chart to select year. How we use this data

🔫

Firearms & Weapons

i
2025

Incidents

594

▼ 1.0% vs 2024

Rate per 100K

54.3

Breakdown

Possession of weapons
51085.9%
Unsafe storage
437.2%
Weapons trafficking
71.2%
Other
345.7%
Firearms Act
100related
Pointing a firearm
46related
Discharge firearm
33related

Related items are counted by Statistics Canada under violent crime or federal statutes, not in the weapons total.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01. How we use this data

💊

Drug Offences

i
2025

Incidents

1,097

▲ 6.2% vs 2024

Rate per 100K

100.3

Breakdown

Cocaine trafficking
42338.6%
Other drug trafficking
18717%
Other
48744.4%

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01. How we use this data

🏠

Property Crime

i
2025

Incidents

38,971

▲ 2.5% vs 2024

Rate per 100K

3564.7

Breakdown

Theft under $5K
20,13051.7%
Mischief
8,81722.6%
Break & Enter
2,2365.7%
Motor vehicle theft
1,4653.8%
Theft over $5K
5001.3%
Arson
2370.6%
Shoplifting $5K+
490.1%
Other
5,53714.2%

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01. How we use this data

🔪

Violent Crime

i
2025

Incidents

17,075

▲ 2.4% vs 2024

Rate per 100K

1561.9

Breakdown

Assault Level 1
5,96835%
Uttering Threats
3,85122.6%
Assault Level 2
1,88511%
Criminal Harassment
9665.7%
Sexual Assault L1
8945.2%
Robbery
3492%
Assault Level 3
940.6%
Other
3,06818%

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01. How we use this data

💰

Fraud & Identity Crime

i
2025

Incidents

5,173

▲ 1.4% vs 2024

Rate per 100K

473.2

Breakdown

Fraud
4,69690.8%
Identity Fraud
3556.9%
Identity Theft
1222.4%

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01. How we use this data

🔞

Sexual Violence

i
2025

Content warning: This section contains data about sexual offences

Total Incidents

1,397

▼ 1.3% vs 2024

SA L1 Rate / 100K

127.8

Breakdown

Sexual Assault L1
89464%
Violations Against Children
28920.7%
Non-consensual Images
14210.2%
Voyeurism
483.4%
Sexual Assault L2
181.3%
Sexual Assault L3
60.4%

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01. How we use this data

🏚️

Breaking & Entering

i
2025

Incidents

2,236

▼ 9.8% vs 2024

Rate per 100K

204.5

Breakdown

Standard B&E
2,22699.6%
B&E to Steal Firearm
70.3%
Other
30.1%

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01. How we use this data

🍺

Substance-Related Crime

i
2025

Total Incidents

4,055

▲ 2.0% vs 2024

Drug Rate / 100K

100.3

Breakdown

Impaired Driving
2,95872.9%
Drug Violations
1,09727.1%
Cannabis Possession
00%
Cannabis Trafficking
00%

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01. How we use this data