Ottawa crime down 5%: police

Ottawa's crimenumbers fell by almost five per cent in 2010, according to statistics released bythe city'spolice force.

There were 37,579 Criminal Code offences in Ottawa.While that'smore than 100crimes a day,it'sdown from the 39,462crimes committed the previous year, for a drop of 4.8 per cent.

Crimeeased in 17 of the city's 23 wards, police said.

Police were to present the statistics for the last calendar year to the Ottawa Police Services Board on Monday evening, including Criminal Code offencesand calls for service.

"This information guides us in identifying problem areas and enhances community problem-solving efforts," Chief Vern White said in a statement.

Propertycrime and crimes against people both fell 5.9 per cent and 8.6 per cent, respectively.

Violent crime also dropped by six per cent, thanks to 18 per cent fewer robberies and four per cent fewer assaults,but the number ofmurders rose slightly.

There were 14 murders, though two were historical crimes that only became known in 2010. The previous year there were 10 murders.

Police are getting busier with non-criminal calls, too. Police responded to more than386,000 calls for service, up six per cent over 2010.