Local Crime Rates Decline, Yet Partner Violence Rises

While crime overall in St. Thomas, Ont., has become less serious over the last two years, there’s a concerning increase in intimate partner violence that local police are facing.

According to the St. Thomas Police Service’s 2025 annual report, overall crime severity dropped by 17.57 per cent from 2022 to 2024, primarily due to a 31.76 per cent decrease in non-violent crimes.

Even with these improvements, reports of intimate partner violence (IPV) kept rising, highlighting what police call “a growing and complex community need.”

Chief Marc Roskamp attributed the drop in crime severity to a mix of front-line policing efforts, crime prevention initiatives, and collaborations within the community. He also mentioned enhanced police support for individuals dealing with mental health crises, substance abuse issues, and homelessness.

“By partnering with community organizations, we are moving towards more suitable and coordinated responses; making sure people get the right help at the right time,” Roskamp wrote in the report.

“This strategy is leading to clear outcomes, including a notable decline in complaints about drug-related activities downtown and a measurable drop in repeat offenses among those connected to support services.”

Increase in intimate partner violence reported for 2025

Even though crime statistics showed an overall decline, there was a 2.7 per cent rise in incidents of intimate partner violence reported in St. Thomas for 2025 compared to the year before.

A total of 782 IPV incidents were recorded by police in 2025. This is an increase from 761 incidents in 2024, up from 748 in 2023, and higher than both 683 incidents in 2022 and 684 incidents noted in 2021.

The report also reveals a “substantive” jump in IPV-related charges – up by 29.5 per cent for 2025. Police filed charges against offenders on 399 occasions that year compared to only 308 charges made during the previous year, with figures showing lower numbers back through previous years (221 charges in ’23;169 charges in ’22;132 charges recorded for ’21).

There was a 2.3 per cent increase in the number of incidents of intimate partner violence in St. Thomas in 2025 compared to the previous year.
(St. Thomas Police Service)

Insp. John Cosby, who oversees investigative work and court services said they haven’t pinpointed one specific cause for this rise but noted that investigators have been better at identifying offenses.

“They’re also collecting stronger evidence while supporting victims throughout their cases so we can hold offenders accountable,” Cosby shared with CBC News.

Cosby added that STPS has teamed up with Changing Ways-a London-based non-profit aiming to eliminate gender-based and intimate partner violence-to enhance victim support further.

Insp. John Cosby says investigators have been identifying intimate partner violence offences more effectively.
(Submitted by Insp. John Cosby)

A single homicide reported for 2025

This past year saw one homicide logged within St. Thomas-down from two homicides reported during the previous year.

The number of robberies also fell significantly-33.3 percent-with just ten instances counted during the past year compared to fifteen from prior years’ records.

The count for non-sexual assaults declined too-with totals showing three hundred five recorded incidences this past year down slightly from three hundred ten previously reported last season.

Additonally there was another dip seen within drug-related crimes as eighty-two were logged this past reporting period-a decrease of five compared to eighty-seven being accounted last season when looking back at history data reports going forward into upcoming seasons ahead!

Cosby mentioned substance abuse still poses challenges across communities province-wide emphasizing how STPS keeps targeting drug trafficking while offering necessary health assistance where needed most effectively according comprehensive intervention programs available today!

St. thomas remains committed safe caring environment

Citing findings revealed through annual reviews conducted recently Insp. Coby concluded saying “St. thomas stays dedicated ensuring every resident feels secure & cared deeply about living here.”

“Our commitment lies within fostering success stories powered innovations alongside accountability strengthened ties built upon trust established thoroughly between us all,” he added noting future plans remain steady moving forward continuously adapting surrounding ever-evolving needs locally.”

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