The NYPD has had to contend with a sharp rise in stabbings this year, according to a report.

While homicides and shootings have dropped in New York City this year, the number of stabbings have jumped.

As of March 13, stabbings are up 20 percent compared to the same time last year, according to a report on Bloomberg.com. The NYPD has taken 809 stabbing reports, more than the 673 by that date last year.

There have been 20 stabbings in the subway system, more than twice the nine at this point in 2015.

Police concluded less than 20 of 809 were "unprovoked," as for the first time the NYPD is tracking motives for knife assaults. Among the weapons that have been used are kitchen knives, screw drivers, box cutters and machetes.

Knives less than four inches are legal to carry unless they're "gravity-opened" items like a switchblade.

The report noted, however, that most of the stabbings are domestic disputes.

Shooting have fallen 19 percent while homicides are 30 percent off last year's pace.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.