The Ottawa Police Service is reporting a significant increase in charges of theft $5,000 and under so far this year, with two downtown wards the hot spot for reported thefts and shoplifting. Statistics show there have been 19,900 property crime offences in Ottawa between Jan. 1 and July 20, up from 18,640 property crime charges during the same period in 2025. There have been 12,360 charges of theft under $5,000 so far in 2026, up from 10,460 charges during the same period in 2025. According to the Ottawa Police Service’s crime map, there have been 2,781 incidents of thefts $5,000 and under in the Rideau-Vanier ward. These are the top 10 wards for thefts $5,000 and under. The charge of theft $5,000 and under includes shoplifting. There were 20,741 charges of theft $5,000 and under in Ottawa in 2025, and 20,016 charges in 2024. While there has been an 18 per cent increase in incidents of theft $5,000 and under, police are reporting a 26 per cent drop in break and enter incidents. There were 1,020 reported break and enters in Ottawa between Jan. 1 and July 20, down from 1,390 during the same period last year. The number of robbery incidents is also down 12 per cent, while vehicle thefts are down 27 per cent. Police are reporting a five per cent increase in assaults in 2026, with 2,660 assaults reported as of July 20. Neighbourhood concerns John Mills lives in Somerset Ward and in the span of a few weeks, had his vehicle rifled through and four bags of groceries stolen off his porch. “Over the last few weeks… definitely been a spike in theft and other incidents in this neighbourhood,” Mills said. “It doesn’t make us want to move from the neighbourhood, but it makes us frustrated with this being such an ongoing issue.” Shadi Kubti works nearby and had his wallet stolen from his truck last week. “I tried chasing him,” he said. “I called the police and I started to stop my credit card… but unfortunately he like he took like $220 from my debit card.” Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster says she empathizes with those who have had packages stolen. She too had one swiped from her porch. “A lot of this has increased in recent years as rents have become unsustainable, the cost of food has gone up in food bank usages through the roof,” Troster said. “We have a lot of people with addiction issues who are not getting the health care, the housing and the support that they need. Sometimes they’re stealing to be able to feed their addictions. Sometimes they’re stealing just because they need a meal.” Mills said he may look into using secure delivery lockers. Troster said there have been increased police patrols and encourages neighbours to look out for each other and their packages. “If you see a neighbor that you know has had a package delivered and they’re not home, if you take it in for them with their permission, it means that it’ll be safe. It’s amazing how quickly this stuff can get stolen.” With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Katie Griffin
