Crooks had a busy summer this year with the number of criminal acts rising in the third quarter of the year according to the latest statistics.

And muggings and handbag snatches are becoming increasingly popular amongst criminals.

Figures released yesterday by the Bermuda Police Service show that there were 18 muggings and 17 handbag snatches between the months of July and September, bringing the year to date figure to 49 and 30 respectively. Handbag snatches are up more than 75 percent on last year's tally of 17.

Thefts from vehicles have hit the 200 mark, compared to 210 at the same time last year and 147 the year before.

Overall crime is up 12 percent on the second quarter of the year, although for the year to date it is down 2.4 percent on last year.

So far this year there have been 838 reported break-in offences with burglaries up nearly 34 percent on last year. There have been 265 burglaries, 242 house break-ins and 36 school break-ins, a rise of more than 24 percent on last year.

There has also been an increase in assaults on Police staff, with 63 officers being attacked so far -- a rise of 34 percent.

But sexual assaults, robberies and attempted robberies are all down on last year, standing at 32, 25 and six respectively.

And the recent dip in vehicle thefts looks set to continue. Although this year 35 cars have been stolen -- an increase of nearly 60 percent on last year -- along with 377 motorcycles, 255 auxiliary cycles, 137 livery cycles, 39 pedal cycles and 8 other vehicles, bringing the total to 851. Last year the figure at the three quarterly year mark stood higher at 878 compared to 948 in 1996 and 1,622 in 1995.

Most of the vehicle thefts are happening in the central parishes of Pembroke, Paget and Devonshire.

A Police spokeswoman said: "Cycle thieves are still targeting livery cycle companies. With the summer break over however, cycle crime officers expect thefts in this area to fall. The cycle crime unit has fostered a good relationship with the livery cycle companies who are just as anxious to thwart livery cycle thefts.

"There have been a total of 380 recoveries of stolen cycles for the year to date, the majority of which were recovered in Pembroke. The cycle crime unit to date has arrested 21 people and recovered approximately $23,000 in cycles and cycle parts.''