Battlefords RCMP detachment. (Google Map)

By battlefordsNOW staff

RCMP

Assaults and robberies in North Battleford increase, property crimes drop

Apr 29, 2025 | 12:16 PM

According to the latest numbers from Battlefords RCMP, assaults and robberies in the city are up, and property crime is down

Insp. Ryan How presented their first quarter report to city council Monday night, which included a four per cent rise in person crimes between January and March, with 294 incidents reported compared to 282 during the same period last year.

Assaults rose by 10 per cent — from 157 cases to 173 — while robbery offences increased from seven to 11. Sexual assaults dropped by 36 per cent compared to the same period last year.

How attributed the increase to more proactive enforcement efforts downtown, which have led to more incidents being detected and reported.

“I also want to acknowledge that we do have a new operations officer in charge of overseeing the watches and his work on quality assurances, ensuring that all persons crimes are being actually captured, accurately captured,” he said.

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Property crime saw an 11 per cent decline over the same period. Break-and-enters were down 24 per cent, and thefts under $5,000 fell by 19 per cent. Theft of motor vehicles was up slightly by seven per cent.

How cautioned that underreporting remains a factor in gauging property crime trends.

“We’re always cognizant that the public may not want to trouble the RCMP with minor crimes of property and nature.” he said. “We do encourage the public to continue to report, make sure we’re getting an accurate depiction of what we’re seeing in the community, and so we can deploy our resources effectively.”

Firearms-related offences doubled from three to six incidents. How said part of that increase may be tied to fireworks being mistaken for gunshots.

“There is some consequence to the fireworks being discharged in the city. It’s not just an annoyance. It will skew the stats,” he said. “So I just have to caution on that as well, because we are deploying a significant amount of resources to suppress gun violence in the city, and we want to make sure it’s accurate.”

Reports of disturbing the peace rose by 36 per cent, which How attributed to more proactive patrols downtown resulting in earlier intervention and more reporting.The report also showed a 23 per cent decline in fraud cases and a six per cent increase in drug-related offences.

How said downtown patrols have fully ramped up as the weather improves, involving RCMP officers, community safety officers and social services personnel working together on the ground.

“The program has really hit full swing within the last three weeks,” he said. “So far, feedback has been very positive, anecdotally, and reported from our members that they have been able to intercept crimes before they’re happening — prevention — and crimes that are going on immediately and being available to make those quick arrests.”

He said mental health and addictions outreach teams have been “essential” in supporting the RCMP’s downtown response.

“Our first priority continues to be the safety and maintaining a minimum standard in the downtown area — standard of behavior — and then followed up by ensuring that the people that need the supports are getting them beyond what the RCMP is capable of,” How said.

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