Winnipeg police suspend use of Crime Stoppers after data breach

Winnipeg police suspend use of Crime Stoppers
Winnipeg police suspend use of Crime Stoppers
The Winnipeg Police Service headquarters is pictured in Winnipeg, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Lambert
Writer

Winnipeg police say they've suspended the use of Crime Stoppers in light of a massive data breach of the crime-reporting system.

The pause comes after CBC reported that 1.5 million tips submitted to Canadian Crime Stoppers programs over the last 25 years were stolen earlier this year. 

Winnipeg police say they have been made aware that some data related to the city was included in the breach.

They are reviewing the additional safeguards and security measures being implemented by Crime Stoppers.

Other police forces in Canada have also suspended use of the service, including several in the Toronto region.

Crime Stoppers is a community-based intermediary that allows people to anonymously report information about crimes to police.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2026.

Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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