Brampton, ON — Crime has dropped dramatically across Brampton and Mississauga through the first nine months of 2025, according to newly released Peel Regional Police data — with nearly every major crime category showing a decline except for two outliers: sexual violations and impaired driving.
Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah attributed the downward trend to the force’s strategic focus on organized crime networks and a significant increase in front-line officers, following record budget boosts over the past two years. “This community has been the largest affected by auto theft anywhere in the country … Two years ago, we had the highest rate per capita,” Duraiappah said during a recent public safety town hall. “We’ve made progress, but there’s still work to do.”
The Peel police budget allowed for the addition of 300 new officers in 2025, with another 175 planned for 2026, bolstering enforcement and visibility across high-crime areas.
Major Declines Across Key Crime Categories
- Homicides: Down 35.7%, from 14 to 9 cases compared to the same period in 2024.
- Robberies: Down 18.2%, with 607 incidents compared to 742 last year.
- Break and Enters: Down 5.8%, falling from 2,187 to 2,061.
- Auto Thefts: Down 31.2%, with 3,927 vehicles stolen so far this year, compared to 5,751 in 2024. This marks a major reversal from the all-time high of 8,322 thefts in 2023.
- Thefts from Vehicles: Down 24.7%, dropping from 3,225 to 2,427.
- Criminal Mischief: Down 7.3%, with 3,342 cases compared to 3,605 in 2024.
The declines follow a region-wide collaboration between Peel police, municipal leaders, and federal officials to curb the surge in auto thefts and organized property crime that previously plagued the GTA.
Two Outliers: Sexual Offenses and Impaired Driving
Not all numbers trended downward. Sexual violations rose 4.5% year-over-year, from 1,026 to 1,072 reported incidents. Impaired driving charges also increased 9%, climbing from 644 to 702 cases through September.
Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said the uptick in impaired driving reflects stronger enforcement, not necessarily worsening behaviour. “We’re arresting and charging more people than we ever have — and we’re going to continue to do that,” he said, emphasizing the role of bail reform in keeping repeat offenders off the streets.
Looking Ahead
Peel police leaders say the data points to steady progress but caution against complacency. With continued investment, tougher bail policies, and community partnerships, officials hope to sustain the downward trend through 2026 — even as they tackle persistent issues like sexual violence and impaired driving.
“We’re making real progress in keeping Peel safe,” Chief Duraiappah said. “But our goal is nothing less than making Brampton and Mississauga the safest cities in Canada.”