The Vicksburg Police Department has released official crime statistics for the month of November, highlighted by a 40% increase in aggravated assault.

Although November saw drops in crimes like business burglary and auto theft, aggravated assault was up due in part to a rash of recent shootings, the vast majority of which resulted in the specific assault charge.

Law enforcement officials said aggravated assault is often the resulting charge in shootings when it is difficult to prove a suspect intended to kill when firing a weapon.

A shooting at the Fastway service station at the corner of Cherry and Clay streets, as well as a number of shootings in residential neighborhoods, resulted in aggravated assault charges in November, which saw seven such incidents, up from five in October.

Other statistics for November included: 

• A 100% decrease in business burglaries, with none reported in November and two reported in October.
• A 64% increase in auto burglaries, with 18 reported, up from 11 in October. November’s burglaries included 10 of secured vehicles (up from five in October) and eight from unsecured vehicles (up from six in October).
• A 50% drop in auto thefts, with three reported in November, down from six in October.
• A 12% increase in domestic violence incidents, with 19 reported in November, up from 17 in October.

There were no incidents of manslaughter, murder or rape in October or November.

Overall for November, VPD reported 3,482 logged calls; 789 reports; 303 arrests; 209 warrants issued; 239 citations issued; 19 warnings issued; and 13 DUIs issued.