Canada's crime rate is the lowest in a quarter century, but violent crime is just as bad as ever, according to a Statistics Canada report. The findings show that crime dropped by three per cent last year across the country.

On a local note, our city is also a safer place to live. In Toronto, crime is down across the board. Shootings are down nearly 30 per cent. And Toronto Police are attributing the drop in numbers in large part to more officers patrolling the streets. 

"The anti-violence intervention strategy taskforce has played a significant part," said Mark Pugash with Toronto Police. "The rapid deployment teams and the installation of closed circuit cameras have also helped," he added.

The crime rate among kids age 12 to 17, however, went up by about three per cent in 2006. It's the first increase in three years.

To read the full Statistics Canada report click here