The Detachment Commander of the Battlefords RCMP feels their long term strategy to combat the social factors behind crime is working.

Inspector John Sutherland said limiting the increase of severe crimes reported by police in 2017 to just under 2-percent is an indication their work with community partners is making an impact.

Sutherland stressed you can’t arrest your way out of the addictions and other social issues that lead to the majority of crime committed in their area.

He points out they are a common thread between less serious and most frequently committed crimes like disturbing the peace and mischief and more violent incidents like assaults and assaults with weapons.

Violent crime reported by police in the Battlefords increased 14-percent from 2016.

Sutherland felt the Crime Reduction Team launched early in 2018 to target gangs, drug offenses and frequent offenders will continue to combat serious crime.

He said they have conducted several successful operations so far this year.