Vancouver police say there was a 1.5 per cent decrease in the overall crime rate last year in the city compared with 2016 but the violent crime rate was up 1.9 per cent.
Police spokesman Const. Jason Doucette says after five years of increases, the property crime rate dropped almost two per cent, led by a nearly 18 per cent drop in break-ins to businesses and residences.
The number of homicides increased to 19 from 12 in 2016, but police say the 10-year trend in the violent crime rate is showing an overall decrease.
There was also a slight drop in apprehensions under the Mental Health Act, and Doucette says police continue to work alongside health professionals in integrated teams to connect people with the resources they need.
