Last year saw a “significant increase” in the number of people killed or injured by guns, according to crime statistics released today.The end-of-year figures from Bermuda Police Service - www.bps.bm - show that in all other areas, crime is at its lowest point in a decade.Seven people were killed and 29 injured by firearms last year, compared to four deaths and 13 injured in 2009.BPS said today “significant resources and several strategies were deployed in 2010 to target gun, gang and drug offences as the primary objectives for the police and the community”.The last three months of 2010 saw 1,065 criminal offences committed, the second lowest figure for a quarterly period in more than a decade.There were 4,575 offences for the whole year, which police say is the lowest annual figure since comparative records began in 2000.Arrests increased by 11 percent in 2010, stops and searches were up by 36 percent and officers seized a record $29.5 million worth of drugs.The report's executive summary says: “In 2010 there were seven people killed and 29 people injured though the use of firearms. This represents a significant increase over 2009 which recorded four and 13 respectively.“Across all other areas, crime is at its lowest point in the last decade. Significant resources and several strategies were deployed in 2010 to target gun, gang and drug offences as the primary objectives for the police and the community. The 2010 Annual Policing Plan announced a new, single-focused Mission Statement for the BPS: ‘Making Bermuda Safer'.“There were 1,065 offences in Q4 2010, making it the second lowest quarter since Q1 2000. There were 4,575 offences for the whole of 2010, making 2010 the lowest yearly figure from comparative available records (from 2000).“Police enforcement and proactivity is at an all time high with arrests increasing by 11 percent, calls for service up two percent, stop and searches up 36 percent and drug seizures at a record of $29.5 million.”The report adds: “Crime against the person is now at its lowest since Q1 2006 and crime against property is now the second lowest quarter since Q1 2000. Crimes against the community registered a quarter on quarter decrease and a plus one percent increase year-on-year, with just nine additional offences.”Firearm offences are included within crimes against the community, however firearm incidents may not necessarily be recorded as offences, as often there is no suspect or even a victim, the report says.“To enable accurate recording, analysis and reporting of firearm incidents, the BPS classifies them into four categories which are split into either confirmed or unconfirmed categories. A confirmed incident is where forensic evidence proves the incident occurred e.g. a firearm has been seized, shell casings or bullets are recovered, or a person has a gunshot wound.The report states: “The number of confirmed and unconfirmed firearm incidents in 2010 was 197. In 2010 confirmed firearm incidents doubled in comparison with 2009 and have doubled every year from 2007 to 2010, with seven in 2007, 18 in 2008, 37 in 2009 and 70 in 2010.“In the same time period, unconfirmed firearm incidents have almost trebled every year from 2007 to 2010, with three in 2007, 16 in 2008, 46 in 2009 and 127 in 2010. There has been a significant increase in firearm incidents year-on-year between 2007 and 2010.”In terms of weapons seized by police in 2010, seven firearms recovered by the Bermuda Police Service of .22, .32, .38 or 9mm calibre plus one imitation firearm, one magazine to an automatic handgun and two air pistols.The report adds: “There has been an increase in confirmed firearm incidents in 2010, in comparison to previous years. With 36 persons shot in 2010, 17 persons shot in 2009 and one person shot in 2008, it is clear that there has been an escalation in gang on gang violence in 2010, which has severely affected the quality of life of communities in Bermuda.”Minister's responseThis afternoon National Security Minister David Burch said: "I am pleased that crime overall is down but obviously that is mitigated by the fact that weapons offences are up. Understandably anxiety in the community remains high.“The criminal justice system led by the Bermuda Police Service at the front end continues to perform admirably with speedy arrests, investigations and committals for trial in many serious cases."This Government is committed to ensuring safe communities for all Bermudians and our guests and the support of the Police in this effort has been excellent.”The Minister confirmed that the expansion of CCTV, including the installation of wireless cameras in the western end of the Island, would be completed by the end of this month.“Technology is a vital tool in fighting crime, and with the anticipated completion of this phase of the work we will have strengthened the investigative and preventative capabilities of the Police,” he said.