DUBAI // Serious crimes decreased last year but some categories, such as rape, prostitution and arson rose, figures released yesterday show.
Statistics released by Dubai Police CID show 2,611 serious crimes were reported last year, compared with 3,857 in 2009.
Police had previously reported 2,485 such crimes last year, compared with 3,265 in 2009. Officials did not explain the discrepancy.
Police have said more officers on the street, better training and new strategies have helped the decrease in crime.
The report defined serious crimes as rape, arson, prostitution, murder, homosexual rape, kidnap, car plate thefts, muggings, car thefts, pick-pocketing, car break-ins, impersonation of public officials, bribery and fraud, aggravated assault, commercial break-ins, home invasions, drugs and looting.
Most crimes occurred within the jurisdiction of the Bur Dubai police station, which covers the heavily populated area between the World Trade Centre and Al Quoz.
In 2009, 1,091 crimes were registered at the Bur Dubai police station. Last year there were only 491.
Rapes rose to 22 last year from 17 in 2009, the data show. The lowest number was 12, in 2007.
Arson rose to 30 last year from 21 in 2009, the report showed.
Prostitution cases doubled from 20 in 2009 to 40 cases last year.
Over the past four years, aggravated assaults have steadily risen according to the report. In 2007 there were 89, increasing to 103 in 2008, 115 in 2009, and 168 last year.
An aggravated assault is defined as a physical assault that can be deadly or lead to permanent damage.
But lesser crimes took a significant dip in recent years. In 2008, there were 1,138 such cases. That dropped to 770 in 2009 and to 184 last year.
Drug cases also dropped, to 726 last year from 1,054 in 2009.
