Crime stats for the North Okanagan are showing both large increases and decreases in criminal activity.

The Third Quarter 2008 stats for the Vernon detachment have been released and they are showing large decreases in several key areas and large increases in others.

Inspector Steve McVarnock says with respect to crime trends, overall the detachment continues to see a general decline across most reporting areas.

The most notable decreases are in the amount of reported drug offences and impaired driving incidents. Drug offences are down 71% from this time last year and there is a reported 55% decrease in impaired driving.

McVarnock says theft of motor vehicles continues to be an area of concern with a reported increase of 63% from this time last year.

“The BAIT Car program is in place within the city. Increases in the quarter have been recognized in crimes against persons (+17%), thefts over $5,000 (+105%), and theft of motor vehicles while decreases have been seen in break and enters (-16%), thefts under $5000 (-21%), drug offences, impaired driving charges,” says McVarnock.

He says the downtown core continues to reflect an overall decrease in crimes for the year to date.

In the downtown core, reported B&Es have decreased by 25%, drug offences have decreased by 75% and thefts under $5,000 have decreased by 39%.