The crime severity index analyzes police-reported crime, based on both the volume of crime and the crimes’ seriousness or severity. Each reported crime is given a weight based on its seriousness. The more serious the offence, the higher the weight—and the more serious the reported crime is in a community, the higher the crime severity index value. [1]
Crime and crime severity can vary significantly between urban and rural areas, in part due to differences in population density and social and economic conditions. Higher population density can increase crime by fostering connections between people most disposed to criminal activity. [2][3] Likewise, communities with more visible poverty tend to have less social cohesion, which increases the likelihood of criminal behaviour. [2]
High crime severity is an indication of high victimization in a community. When victimization is high, people tend to feel less safe—either through their experience as a survivor of crime or fear of being victimized. [4][5]
Statistics Canada. (2024). Table 35-10-0188-01. Crime severity index and weighted clearance rates, police services in Ontario [Data table]. Retrieved December 2, 2024.