PROPERTY crimes plunged while violent crimes increased slightly in the District of West Vancouver in 2012.
The West Vancouver Police Department recorded 1,190 incidents of property crime in 2012, a 22 per cent drop when measured against the five-year average.
Shoplifting and mischief were the two most common types of property crime, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of all non-violent theft.
Shoplifting rose 13 per cent over the five-year average in 2012 with police arresting 243 customers looking for a five-finger discount. Most shoplifters were between the ages of 38 and 47.
There were also 154 incidents of theft from auto and 121 incidents of fraud.
While property crime dripped, slight increases were reported in both violent crimes and drug offences.
The district recorded 309 incidents of violent crime in 2012, marking an increase from the five-year average of 298.
Some of that increase is due to a 42 per cent increase in violent thefts, with 17 robberies recorded in 2012.
WVPD also reported 75 incidents of uttering threats, an increase of 19 per cent over the five-year average.
Physical force was used in 85 per cent of assault cases, with handguns used in one per cent of incidents.
WVPD recorded 179 drug offences in 2012, a six per cent bump compared with the five-year average of 170.
In 87 per cent of cases, the suspects were in possession of cannabis. In fewer than six per cent of cases, suspects were charged with trafficking or production.
Motor vehicle incidents plunged by 15 per cent, but there were higher rates of both fatalities and injuries.
Calls for service fell by more than 500 from the five-year average of 15,241 to 14,705 in 2012.
