wounding, were up over the previous year, recently released figures show.

And there were also increases in the numbers of removed motorcycles, auxiliary cycles and livery cycles as well.

These figures are contained in a prepared statement that the Bermuda Police Service released yesterday.

In 1996 there were 14 assaults occasioning grievous bodily harm compared to 23 in 1997. And there were 18 incidents involving wounding in 1996 compared to 23 in 1997.

Overall violent crimes declined between January-December 1997 although figures for the fourth quarter (October-December) showed an increase in several crime categories such as housebreaking and attempted breaking and entering.

In 1996 there were 80 housebreaking offences on record compared to 102 in 1997 and 17 attempted breaking and enterings in 1996, while there were 44 in 1997.

Similarly, removed auxiliary cycles reached 112 in 1997 compared to 65 in 1996. There were 19 livery cycle removals in 1996 but there were 44 in 1997.

Motorcycle removals accounted for 135 in 1996 compared to 142 in 1997.

Meanwhile, attempted robberies and were down over 1997. There were seven in 1996 compared to two in 1997.

Attempted burglaries, 17 in 1996 compared to 13 in 1997 were also down as were car removals; 12 in 1996 and six in 1997.

A Police spokesperson said that authorities will continue to address these increases in criminal activity through community policing, Task Force Units, and parish constables.

Additionally there will also be ongoing meetings with the divisional Consultative committees to identify both the problems and solutions for regional areas.

"Despite numerous warnings,'' the spokesperson said, "residents continue to leave cash and other valuables in unattended and sometimes unsecured cars.

"This is reflected in the increase in that particular category from 42 in 1996 to 93 in 1997.'' CRIMES CRM