There has been a “meaningful decline” in extortion-related threats and shots-fired incidents in 2026, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) says.
In an update Friday, Chief Norm Lipinski said that in January, there were 10 shots-fired incidents related to extortion in the city. In February, there was only one such incident, he says, and in March there were three.
As far as reported extortion threats, there were 44 in January. In February and March, the numbers dropped to 17 and 14, respectively.
So far this year, the SPS says there have been 79 extortions reported. In total, 42 victims have come forward in 2026, with several of them reporting repeat incidents.
By comparison, in the entirety of 2025, there were 133 reported extortions with 88 separate victims.
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“I want to be clear: any threat against a business owner or resident is deeply concerning,” Lipinski said.
He says the SPS is providing victim support and boosting visible patrols, while it continues to work with the BC Extortion Task Force.
Police have met with several groups in the city to address their concerns, he says.
“Over the past couple of months, I had the opportunity to meet with the Downtown Surrey BIA, South Asian Business Association, Surrey White Rock Board of Trade, and Punjabi Press Club,” he said.
“I have appreciated these solution-oriented discussions on extortions.”
The SPS took over policing in Cloverdale on April 1, meaning it now manages all new extortion-related files in that area, along with Whalley, Newton, and South Surrey, Lipinski says.
Meanwhile, he says, police have taken steps in advance of the Surrey Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade, scheduled for April 18.
“Surrey Police Service has worked closely with the City of Surrey and event organizers to develop a comprehensive public safety plan, informed by provincial guidelines for large public events.”