Police seized a record $29.5 million worth of narcotics last year and saw drug-related offences increase by more than 90 percent.The number of confirmed firearms incidents rose by almost 90 percent and there were more murders, serious assaults, sexual assaults, disorder offences, animal offences and indecency offences than in 2009.But overall, crime dropped to its lowest level in the last decade during 2010, with the annual number of offences falling below 5,000 for the first time in five years.And Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva told a press conference yesterday there was “increasing cooperation from the public” in helping his officers solve crime.The end-of-year figures released yesterday by Bermuda Police Service reveal 980 drug offences were committed in 2010, compared to 513 the year before.Officers made a total of 980 drug seizures: 820 of them at street level, 138 at ports (mainly at the airport but also at wharfs and from courier companies) and 22 overseas.Mr DeSilva said last year’s haul of almost $30 million compared to $11.1 million in 2009.He said “about $20 million” worth of the total was seized last month in the Caribbean from the Bermuda-owned and registered 34ft Phantasea sailboat.That raid was conducted by the US Coast Guard as part of a joint operation with Bermudian authorities.More than $5 million worth of the controlled drugs was picked up at ports, with $750,000 worth seized by officers on the streets.Mr DeSilva said: “We have seized a record number of drugs in police history.” He added that the seizures would affect supply on the street and police were aware this had the potential to cause an increase in other crimes.The last three months of 2010 saw a drop in the number of drug-related offences compared to the previous quarter: 245 down to 234.But compared to the same quarter in 2009, when there were 169 offences, the figure rose by almost 40 percent.Seven people were killed and 29 injured by guns last year. In 2009, four people were fatally shot and 13 injured.Mr DeSilva told reporters there were 70 confirmed firearms incidents in 2010, nearly twice as many as the 37 incidents the year before.Of those, 39 involved victims being shot and the others involved forensic recoveries of firearms and ammunition.There were also 127 unconfirmed firearms reports in 2010 i.e. when no evidence was found to support the call to police.The Commissioner said the “significant increase” in firearms incidents was no surprise but commended the public for coming forward with information about those responsible.Citing the seven people convicted and jailed for firearms offences last year and the 20 individuals awaiting trial in 2011, he said: “I wish to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the public for the support we are seeing across the Island and the continued assistance that we are receiving in terms of information and tips.“I would also like to recognise the courage of those victims and witnesses that have taken the stand in court and to acknowledge that without their testimony we would not have the convictions.”National Security Minister David Burch echoed his remarks, adding he was “encouraged by the fact that more citizens are honouring their civic duty by reporting incidents of crime to the police”.There were 4,575 offences in the whole of 2010, which police say is the lowest annual figure since comparative records began in 2000. “The long-term trend of crime is showing a substantial decrease,” said Mr DeSilva.Police made 5,082 arrests last year, an 11 percent increase on 2009, and conducted more than 9,400 stop and searches.The number of residential burglaries dropped by almost 30 percent, thefts fell by almost 20 percent and there were 345 criminal damage offences, compared to 470 the previous year.