Published December 14, 2010

(fruitflavor/Flickr)

Boston Police say shootings rose about 16 percent in 2010 over 2009, but police made fewer firearms-related arrests.

With 2010 nearly over, the BPD has released crime statistics (PDF) covering Jan. 1 through Dec. 12, as compared to the same period last year.

Homicides are up dramatically — 46 at this time last year, compared to 73 this year. Police say most of those victims died from gunfire, but officers made 12-percent fewer arrests for firearms offenses.

Reports of burglary jumped 19 percent citywide. But crimes of all other types, including rape, aggravated assault and larcency, are down with double-digit decreases for robbery and vehicle theft.

The only beat to see a rise in overall crime was Area A, which includes Downtown, Beacon Hill, Chinatown, Charlestown and East Boston.

And the neighborhoods with the biggest overall drops in crimes this year? Area C, or Dorchester and South Boston.