Since the 2010 Olympic Winter Olympic Games began Feb. 12, violent crime in Vancouver has climbed 17 per cent compared to the same period last year.
But Vancouver police say the jump is "almost entirely" related to violent anti-Olympic protests that took place in downtown Vancouver during the first weekend of the Games.
Crime data sent to ctvbc.ca in response to a request show that there were 11 alleged police officer assaults from Feb. 12 to 24. There were none during the same period last year, the data show.
Const. Lindsey Houghton said 10 of the alleged assaults stem from anti-Olympic and anarchist protests on Feb. 12 and 13.
Store windows were smashed and cars were vandalized during one outbreak.
The crime data show that there was a 291 per cent spike in reported fights – 23 to 90.
Most fights were consensual and broken up, Houghton said.
"The combatants are dusted off, and sent on their way," he said. "If they're really intoxicated they are either sent to jail for a bit or sent home."
Arrests related to public intoxication went up 11 per cent – from 249 to 277.
Public intoxication has been a concern for Vancouver police.
For two nights, the department asked the province's Liquor Control and Licensing Branch to order liquor stores in the downtown area to close early.
The data also show drops in several crime categories, including break and enter of businesses (down 46 per cent), theft from vehicles (down 37 per cent) and total property crime (down 16 per cent).
