More than 4 people attacked per day in Vancouver as 'stranger assaults' on the rise, police say
Vancouver police are warning the public after an uptick in “stranger assaults” in the city over the past year.
In a series of tweets, the Vancouver Police Department says its officers took a “deep dive into the numbers” of random attacks after noticing the startling trend.
Police say more than four people are the target of an unprovoked assault in Vancouver on a daily basis.
Officers found there were approximately 1,555 of these stranger attacks involving 1,705 victims that were reported from Sept. 1, 2020 to Aug. 31 of this year.
Of those incidents, 47 per cent involved weapons and 28 per cent of the suspects appeared to be living with a mental illness.
Twenty-four per cent of the victims were female and police say the majority of the victims were "simply going about their day: running errands, walking or visiting our city.”
Vancouver police say one recent attack happened when a man was running errands in the area of Quebec Street and West 10th Avenue, when a stranger came up behind him and cut his throat.
The victim suffered significant injuries and required emergency medical care. The suspect was arrested and charged.
In another incident, a woman was walking with her elderly father in the Trout Lake area when an unknown female - who police say appeared to be around 12 years old - walked towards her and punched her in the nose. Police have yet to identify that suspect.
Police say they were also called to reports of an “erratic and violent” man who started to randomly assault multiple people at a bus stop at Main Street and Terminal Avenue.
In that case, the suspect allegedly bit an officer and broke another officer’s arm during the arrest.
Police are asking anyone who witnesses one of these random attacks or who is a victim of one to call 911 as soon as possible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
BREAKING 6 injured in Sharbot Lake, Ont. crash; 2 in life-threatening condition
Ontario Provincial Police say six people have suffered severe injuries in a single-vehicle crash in Sharbot Lake, Ont, including two in life-threatening condition.