Hate crimes in Toronto were up 19 per cent in 2024, but decreasing this year: police
The Toronto Police Services emblem is photographed during a press conference at TPS headquarters, in Toronto on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
TORONTO — Toronto police say reported hate crimes increased by 19 per cent in 2024, but have significantly dropped so far this year.
The annual hate crime report to the Toronto Police Service Board says 443 incidents were reported last year compared to 372 in 2023, marking a slower rate of increase in hate crimes reported between 2023 and 2024.
The report says that so far this year, there has been a 47-per-cent decrease in reported hate crimes compared to the same time last year.
But police say hate crimes are still a serious concern as many of them are underreported.
Police say 115 people were charged with hate-motivated offences in 2024, an 84-per-cent increase compared to the year before.
They say 209 hate-motivated criminal charges were laid in 2024, up from 156 charges in 2023.
The most frequent targets of hate crimes were the Jewish, LGBTQ+, Black and Muslim communities, police said.
'The report also identified a notable increase in hate crimes targeting the South Asian community, rising from 14 in 2023 to 41 in 2024,' police said in a news release.
Streets and public transit were the most common locations for reported hate crimes in Toronto and police say they have partnered with the Toronto Transit Commission to address the issue with several educational campaigns.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025.
The Canadian Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
8 minutes ago
- CBC
No injuries after shots fired into Cambridge home
No one was injured after shots were fired into a Cambridge home Sunday evening, police say. Officers with the Waterloo Regional Police Service were called to the area of Roseview Avenue and Malcolm Street just after 6:30 p.m. Sunday for reports of gunshots in the area. "Officers determined that an unknown individual fired multiple gunshots into a residence before fleeing the area on foot," a police press release issued Monday morning said. "Investigators believe this was a targeted incident." Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers. This is the seventh shooting in the region this year. Other shootings There was a shooting last Thursday in Kitchener where officers were called to the area of Monte Carlo Street and Victoria Street S. after multiple reports of gunshots. A 13-year-old boy has been charged with multiple firearms-related offences related to that investigation. On April 25, police responded to reports of gunshots in the area of University Avenue E. and Weber Street N. There were no reports of physical injuries. On April 9, a 44-year-old Waterloo man was found with gunshot wounds in the area of Lancaster Street W. and Ash Street. Three people have been arrested in this case. On March 5, police responded to a report of a 30-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound in the area of Vanier Drive and Massey Avenue in Kitchener. Two Oshawa men were charged in that case. On March 1, police responded to a report of gunshots in the Ottawa Street S. and Trussler Road area of Kitchener after multiple shots had been fired into the front of a residence. On January 9, police responded to reports of property damage at a residence in the area of Howe Drive and Ottawa Street S. in Kitchener. The shots were believed to have been fired at the home around 3:30 a.m. that morning.
CTV News
17 minutes ago
- CTV News
OPP release sketch of alleged sexual assault suspect
Sketch of a suspect wanted for an alleged sexual assault on the White's Junction Trail near Palmerston. (Source: OPP) Ontario Provincial Police have released the sketch of a suspect wanted for an alleged sexual assault near Palmerston. The victim was confronted by a male on the White's Junction Trail at around 8 a.m. on May 25. Police said he wanted to pay the victim for sex and grabbed the victim's arm. The victim, who was not hurt, fled and reported the incident to police. The male is described as white, between 6'0' and 6'2', with an average to thin build and crooked, discoloured teeth, as well as a slow cadence of speech. He was also said to be clean-shaven, with a long face, long nose and acne scarring on both his cheeks and forehead. The suspect wore a black hoodie, dark blue jeans, running shoes and black Oakley sunglasses. Tips can be called in to OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or anonymously shared with Guelph Wellington Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or
CTV News
28 minutes ago
- CTV News
Driver nabbed going 145 km/h: OPP
Oxford OPP said they have laid charges against a driver allegedly going 145 km/h in an 80 km/h zone in the Township of Zorra. Police said it took place on Road 68, near 31st Line. The driver has been charged with stunt driving and had their license suspended for 30 days and their vehicle impounded for 14 days. Police said there are possible fines up to $10,000 or imprisonment up to six months upon conviction.
