Crime is Up! It’s Time to Think Proactively About Physical Security
According to the Toronto Police Service 2024 Annual Statistical Report, there were 122,315 reported crimes against property, marking a further 2% increase over 2023 and continuing the sharp rise seen over the past several years. Property-related offences remain a critical issue for businesses, institutions, and property owners across the city.
While digital security continues to dominate headlines, physical security breaches such as break-ins, theft, and smash-and-grab incidents are where most businesses experience loss. The 2024 report highlights that theft under $5,000 continues to be the single largest driver of property crime, with more than 70,000 incidents reported. The clearance rate remains low at 15.7%, meaning the vast majority of these cases go unresolved.
Break & enter offences also remain a serious concern:
Commercial break & enters dropped in volume from 2023 but still saw 2,549 incidents in 2024, with only 27.3% cleared.
Residential break & enters rose slightly year-over-year, with 2,135 cases reported in 2024 and just 16.7% cleared.
How Businesses Can Respond
The data is clear: property crimes remain elevated, and clearance rates are low. That means businesses and property owners cannot afford to wait until after an incident to take action.
3M™ Security Window Film and Riot Glass® provide proactive, layered solutions:
Reinforce glass to make it more resistant to forced entry.
Create a near-invisible barrier that deters opportunistic criminals.
Buy critical time during an attempted break-in.
Reduce costly downtime, repair, and replacement expenses.
Support insurance eligibility and potentially lower premiums.
By strengthening the most vulnerable part of a building—the glass—these solutions offer peace of mind to staff, tenants, and customers.
Why Now?
The sustained rise in property crime across Toronto underscores the urgency. Businesses that take preventative measures today are better positioned to minimize risks, costs, and disruptions tomorrow.
Window Film Canada is proud to be the exclusive national dealer network for 3M™ Safety & Security Window Films in Canada. With certified professional installation across retail, commercial, institutional, and healthcare sectors, we help Canadians protect what matters most.
Resources
Toronto Police Service – Annual Statistical Report 2023 (ref: data.torontopolice.on.ca)
2024 Mid-Year Performance Report – Toronto Police Service - September 2024 (ref: data.torontopolice.on.ca)
Statistics Canada – The Daily: Police-reported crime statistics in Canada, 2023
