Crime continues to decline in Red Deer, according to city statistics.
Statistics released on Thursday show a continued decrease in persons and property crimes and overall Criminal Code offences in the second quarter of 2013.
The city has seen 16.3 per cent fewer total persons crimes year to date, which includes everything from offences such as homicide, robbery and assault. Total property crimes, which includes offences like break and enter, arson and fraud, are also down 12.6 per cent, year to date.
However there were some areas where the numbers were up.
Homicides were the same as last year’s to date, with two so far in each year. But under the category of offences related to death, there were two cases up to this time last year, but five so far in total this year.
Robberies were at 84 by the end of the second quarter last year, but down to 56 so far this year.
Sexual assaults were 56 in 2012, compared with 47 this year. Assaults were also down, from 1,027 to 809.
Break and enters went from 563 to date in 2012, to 418 this year so far. Arson cases are up from 15 to 21.
“We saw improvements in the first quarter of this year over the same time last year, and we continue to see a positive downward trend with fewer persons crimes, property crimes and overall Criminal Code offences being reported again in the second quarter,” said city manager Craig Curtis.
Overall, the city saw 11.8 per cent fewer Criminal Code offences year to date.
“Red Deer is a safe community but there is always room to improve, and with a continued focus on community safety, crime prevention and policing, we aim to do just that,” said Mayor Morris Flewwelling.
Crime statistics are released on a quarterly basis in April, July, October and January.