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(KIM ANDERSON / iNFOnews.ca)

NORTH OKANAGAN - The latest crime figures released by the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP show a steep increase in theft from homes and vehicles in Vernon, with overall crime figures also on the rise.

The report highlights the 15 most commonly reported crimes in Canada, and shows a seven per cent increase in the City of Vernon for the second quarter of 2019, compared to the same months in 2018.

The report shows for the City of Vernon, residential break and enters increased 62 per cent and theft from vehicles was up by 59 per cent.

RCMP state in the report the increase in property offences is attributed to police requesting the public report property crimes, no matter what size.

The report also points out since 2019 reported crimes where there is no credible evidence to confirm that the incident took place are also included in the figures. Prior to 2019, only offences that were proven to have occurred were included.

While residential break and enters were up, commercial properties saw a 23 per cent decline in break-ins.

Theft over $5,000 also saw a steep increase up from 261 cases in the second quarter of 2018 to 343 in 2019 — a 31 per cent increase.

Drugs offences saw a 101 per cent increase up to 141 incidents in 2019 from 70 in the same period in 2018. Assault was also up by 67 per cent.

Impaired driving was up 150 per cent, with 55 cases within the reporting period. The report shows that motor vehicle accidents were down by 48 per cent.

While figures for City of Vernon were largely up, crime in rural Vernon saw a 13 per cent drop.

The statistics also show overall crime in Coldstream down nine per cent and overall crime in Lumby down 15 per cent.

Overall crime in Enderby jumped 47 per cent in the second quarter of 2019. While 2018 figures for April and May are largely similar to 2019, June saw a large spike in crime, with 191 cases reported over 103 June 2018.

While three cases of theft under $5,000 were recorded in June 2018 that number rose to 17 this year.

The RCMP report also says of 19 identified prolific offenders in Vernon, 10 are currently in custody.

The report states the 15 most commonly reported crimes have the greatest impact on communities include break and enter, theft over and under $5,000, assault, drugs, impairing driving and motor vehicle accidents, and others. There are over 700 Crime Codes used by Canadian police.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2019