ASHEVILLE, N.C. — End-of-year metrics from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office showed a huge decline in major crime categories compared to 2021.

What You Need To Know

The 2022 Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office crime statistics showed a decline in major crime

According to the SBI, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office saw a 9% reduction in index crime offenses in 2021 and a 2% drop in 2020

The new enforcement strategy by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has led to a reduction in crime

The report showed larceny down 24%, breaking and entering down 23%, motor-vehicle theft down 26%, stolen property down 35% and robbery down more than 50%.

According to the Annual Summary Support of Uniform Crime from the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office saw a 9% reduction in index crime offenses in 2021 and a 2% drop in 2020.

“The increase in arrests for high-level crime and repeat offenders has been a key factor in our crime reduction strategy,” Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller said.

Under Miller, there has been a focus on arresting individuals who are doing the most harm to the community and are responsible for organizing criminal theft rings.

The new enforcement strategy by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has led to a reduction in crime. The property crime unit team consists of 11 detectives and two sergeants who focus their resourses on investigating and arresting suspects responsible for multiple crimes.

“Crime statistics represent more than just numbers. Behind each one there is a measure of justice provided to a victim, and a great deal of hard work and dedication by the detectives who work each case,” Captain Angie Tullis said.

The 2022 annual crime report from the SBI will not be available until later this year.