NOVA.SCOTIA (CBC) - Nova Scotia's crime rate may be down for the third year in a row, but the government shouldn't overlook the alarming numbers for violent youth crime, the Opposition says.

The latest figures from Statistics Canada, released Thursday, suggest an overall decrease in crime of eight per cent in 2007, with declines in robberies, car theft and property crime.

Drug crimes involving marijuana and cocaine were up.

"The police are strategically going after these areas of concern," said Justice Minister Cecil Clarke. "That is part of putting more resources on the ground, so those statistics will go up."

Youth crime dipped slightly by four per cent.

Clarke called that a sign the government's anti-crime strategy is working, though he admits there's more work to do.

"Nova Scotians as citizens are concerned about the impact of youth crime," he said. "That is something we're working with and trying to deal with fully."

But the NDP suggests Clarke take a closer look at the numbers.

Young offenders committed three murders last year and none in 2006, the party notes, while serious assaults were up by 31 per cent and sexual assaults climbed 21 per cent.

"I'm concerned about the disconnect between home and the streets, and who ultimately is responsible and at what stage we intervene with the police," said NDP justice critic Bill Estabrooks. "We just continue to play catch-up with some of these issues."

Clarke said the government plans to have 250 extra officers in place by 2010, including the 70 added this year.

With files from the Canadian Press

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