Regina police are marking the slowest crime rate in over 30 years.

The raw numbers show even as the population gained roughly 35,000 people since the early 80's, the total number of police reported crimes in 2011 was at the lowest level.

The number of police-reported crimes went down by 27.1 per cent between 2002 and 2011. Historically reductions in total crimes are driven by lower rates of property crimes but for Regina a six per cent decrease in 'crimes against the person' helped drop the crime rate.

Police Chief Troy Hagen said that the lower crime rates are the result of a targeted strategy to build a healthier community.

Not all statics are down, but a big reduction in crimes like assault which are down by nearly 10 percent over the last 10 years is a great example of improvement.

Each crime statistic reported requires a different explanation. Charges for things like prostitution and drug offences were up slightly year over year but that represents a targeted effort by police.

Hagen explained that this type of targeted work on drugs and gangs is important because it improves situations in homes across the city. Making more arrests for drug and gang-related crimes is also about preventing violent crimes.

He added that a greater presence in schools and communities has also helped produce an overall turn around in violent crime.

“Ensuring kids are growing up in safe houses with healthy environments - attending school, good role models and good after-school activities,” he said.

Mayor Pat Fiacco added that bigger city investment in policing and great economic conditions have helped to reduce the crime rate.

“We have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, I think that if you look at all of those economic factors - that will contribute to a reduction in crime,” Fiacco said.

After seeing the city at the top of several National crime statistics reports in recent years, the mayor believes these decreases will push Regina down the list. 
 
Edited by News Talk Radio's Adriana Christianson