Crime in Denver has gone down 11.4 percent through July of this year, compared with last year.

Friday, Denver police released statistics showing decreases in every crime category for the first seven months of 2007, compared with the same period in 2006.

Major crimes against persons and property dropped 13.3 percent overall, while lesser offenses dipped 7.7 percent.

The biggest drop was in property crime (burglary, theft from motor vehicles, auto theft and arson), at 13.4 percent.

"Sometimes, when you arrest one burglar, it affects the rate because he is a serial burglar," said Sonny Jackson, spokesman for the Denver police department.

That was followed by a 13.1 percent decrease in the category of "all other crimes," which includes weapon offenses and stolen property.

Progress was also made in violent crimes against persons, such as homicide, sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault, which came down by 12.9 percent.

"The first of the year, homicide was up but since then, we're keeping a pretty good handle on it," Jackson said.

Other trends include:

• 8.3 percent decrease in drug and alcohol offenses.

• 8 percent drop in other assaults, sex offenses and offenses against family and children.

• 6.7 percent dip in public disorder crimes.

• 5.2 percent in white collar crimes.

Denver Police Chief Gerry Whitman credits his officers and staff.

Jackson said it is difficult to pinpoint one factor that would account for the drop in crime, although having more officers and more cooperation between districts helps.

"We are communicating better through the department about criminals," he said. "If you see trends going on, you formulate a plan and go on from there."

Jackson also said that it is hard to tell whether the downward trend will continue.

"It would be nice, but we can't predict the cycles on how they play out," he said. "When crime goes up, it's not all our fault. When crimes goes down, we can't take all the credit for it."

Statistics through July

• Property crimes   -13.4%

• All other crimes   -13.1%

• Violent crimes   -12.9%

• Drug-alcohol offenses   -8.3%

• Other crimes against persons   -8%Source: Denver Police Department