The Ottawa Police Service is reporting a significant increase in charges of theft $5,000 and under, with two downtown wards the hot spot for reported thefts and shoplifting this year. Statistics show there have been 19,900 property crime offences in Ottawa between Jan. 1 and July 20, up from 18,640 property crime charges during the same period in 2025. There have been 12,360 charges of theft under $5,000 so far in 2026, up from 10,460 charges during the same period in 2025. According to the Ottawa Police Service’s crime map, there have been 2,781 incidents of thefts $5,000 and under in the Rideau-Vanier ward. These are the top 10 wards for thefts $5,000 and under. The charge of theft $5,000 and under includes shoplifting. There were 20,741 charges of theft $5,000 and under in Ottawa in 2025, and 20,016 charges in 2024. While there has been an 18 per cent increase in incidents of theft $5,000 and under, police are reporting a 26 per cent drop in break and enter incidents. There were 1,020 reported break and enters in Ottawa between Jan. 1 and July 20, down from 1,390 during the same period last year. The number of robbery incidents is also down 12 per cent, while vehicle thefts are down 27 per cent. Police are reporting a five per cent increase in assaults in 2026, with 2,660 assaults reported as of July 10.
