WASHINGTON (AP) - City officials say Washington has seen a drop in homicides and robberies this year, but new statistics show a 3 percent overall increase in total crime.

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Mayor Vincent Gray and Police Chief Cathy Lanier on Wednesday attended a joint news conference on the statistics. Lanier said homicides have dropped 11 and said there has been a 7 percent drop in robberies through Aug. 1 over 2010.

She also said that violent crime fell by an average of 37 percent in five areas that have had persistent crime problems in the past. Gray cited efforts to keep streets clean, alleys well lit and addressing youth crime as some of the reasons for the decline.

The statistics, however, show that there has been an overall increase in violent crime and property crime.