Surrey extortion threats fall to seven-month low in July, police say

Surrey reported eight extortion threats in July, its lowest monthly total in seven months, Surrey Police Service says. The city also recorded one extortion-related shooting, the lowest number since February.

Interim chief Todd Matsumoto said the threats and related violence over the past year have significantly affected Surrey’s business community. He said the decline is encouraging, but investigative, enforcement and prevention teams remain focused on those believed responsible.

January was the worst month of 2026 so far, with 44 threats and 10 extortion-related shootings reported. A further increase came in May, when police recorded 23 threats and two shootings.

Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said police are cautiously optimistic the decline will continue in August, while noting that numbers have risen and fallen before in Surrey and other Canadian communities. Statistics dated Aug. 17 showed two threats and one shooting reported so far this month. Police are urging anyone targeted by an extortion threat to contact them.