Despite a drop in overall crime in New York City, the number of slashings and stabbings in 2016 increased 20 percent, a total of 899, compared to the same time last year.
"It's one of the few crimes that are going up [to a] level that is of concern to us," Police Commissioner William Bratton said.
Murder overall is down 21 percent, but “homicides by cutting instruments” are reportedly up.
Last month, Mayor de Blasio announced “Operation Cutting Edge,” under which officers will examine slashings and stabbings as closely as they do murders.
Police are hoping that including more details about the crimes in police reports will present a way to stop them.
"I’m confident that over time, [like] just about everything else we focus on around here, they will go down," Bratton said.