CITY ROBBERIES UP 22 PER CENT IN '05

City police have finished crunching crime statistic numbers from
2005, noting there was a 22 per cent increase in robberies last year.

In 2005, Peterborough-Lakefield police investigated 61 robberies
compared to 50 in 2004. Of those incidents, 72 per cent occurred in
the downtown core with money being the target of 82 per cent of the robberies.

Police Chief Terry McLaren attributes the increase in robberies to drug abuse.

"It's to obtain funds to supply their drug habit," says Chief
McLaren, adding police have learned that from suspects.

With an increase in robberies, it's only logical there would be an
increase in drug offences.

In 2005, 143 drug incidents were reported to police -- a 36.2 per
cent increase over 2004.

Police say a total of 42 search warrants were executed resulting in
the seizure of more than $1.2 million worth of drugs, including
marijuana taken from 17 grow operations as well as cocaine, ecstasy
and prescription drugs.

Although the number of robberies increased last year, the number of
reported break-ins in Peterborough decreased.

Officers investigated 402 break-ins, a 24 per cent drop from the 526
reported in 2004.

Chief McLaren believes the force's Project Frontline, which has
officers check up on people under court orders, is one reason for the
decrease. Chief McLaren say convicted offenders are staying indoors
and out of trouble because they don't know when officers will arrive
at their homes.

The following is a recap of other statistics from 2005:

There were 6,064 offences reported in 2005, a .3 per cent decrease from 2004.

One attempted murder was reported in October 2005.

It was the only incident in that crime category all year.

Police report 141 vehicles were reported stolen in 2005 compared to
135 in 2004.

There were 639 assaults reported compared to 641 in 2004. Domestic
assaults are on par with the previous year and account for 24 per
cent of all reported assaults.

There was a 5.9 per cent increase in the number of sexual assaults
police investigated.

Police say 90 sexual assaults were reported.

There was a significant decrease in the number of frauds city police
investigated last year. In 2005, 433 frauds were reported compared to
662 in 2004.