Common Tourist Scams in Hampstead (and How to Avoid Them)
Crime profile — overwhelmingly property
The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) publishes ward-level crime data, and Hampstead's numbers are consistently low across every category that affects visitors.
- Driveway car theft — the one real concern. Montreal-area auto-theft (especially of high-end SUVs for export) rose sharply in 2022–2024 and Hampstead saw incidents. Park inside a garage if possible; use a steering lock and OBD-port lock.
- Mail / package theft — occasional. Standard suburban precautions.
- Violent crime — essentially nil at the municipal level.
- Antisemitism — Hampstead has a large Jewish community. Police reports of incidents have risen since 2023; SPVM coordinates with community groups. Visitors are not targets.
- Police — SPVM Station 9 covers Hampstead, Côte-Saint-Luc, and Montreal-West.
Live Hampstead safety score (updates daily) →