METRO VANCOUVER — Surrey RCMP crime statistics reveal a 40 per cent increase in violent crime in the first three quarters of this year compared to the same period last year.

New Democrat Public Safety critic Mike Farnworth is calling on the provincial Liberal government to "finally take real action" in light of the jump in crime.

"Data released Friday by the Surrey RCMP show that violent crime is now up 40 per cent over last year with a whopping 188 per cent increase in attempted murder," the Port Coquitlam MLA said.

According to the RCMP's statistics, Surrey has recorded 23 attempted murders so far this year compared to eight for the same period in 2014, and the number of violent crimes have been 5,498 to 3,939.

In the first three quarters of 2015, compared to the same period last year, robberies are up 24 per cent (497 to 402), sexual assaults are up 39 per cent (228 to 164), assaults are up by 22 per cent (2,670 to 2,189) and abductions and kidnappings have also risen by 57 per cent, from 30 to 47.

"But residents of Surrey don't need statistics to know they are living through a crisis in public safety," Farnworth said. "They unfortunately have seen the evidence of gun and gang violence all around them, in bullet-riddled schools and cases of homeowners being forced to defend their own houses."

Farnworth said the Liberal government's response to crime in Surrey has been "entirely inadequate, making the occasional piecemeal announcement but failing to take real action.

"The people of Surrey deserve better than a government that treats an increasing wave of violence as status quo."

There have been seven homicides in Surrey so far this year compared to 17 in the first three quarters of 2014, for a decrease of 59 per cent.

Property crime, all told, has dropped by nine per cent. Business break-ins are down 14 per cent, residential break-ins are down by 18 per cent, and auto theft has dropped by 21 per cent.

Fraud increased by 33 per cent, from 2119 files to 2825.

Amrik Virk, Liberal MLA for Surrey-Tynehead, retorted that the NDP should "stop fear-mongering for partisan purposes." Before being elected, Virk was an inspector with the Surrey RCMP. He said the "last thing" his former colleagues in policing need is politicians politicizing "complex social issues."

"Why is this politician being partisan" he said of Farnsworth. Virk said Surrey Mounties have been doing some "very dedicated, in your face policing" in response to recent shootings, making 700 arrests in recent months.

"There's always a need for increased efficiency," he added. Virk said he will "continue to push" for more funding for anti-gang initiatives."

tom.zytaruk@thenownewspaper.com

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