Foreclosure deeds recorded in October were 24.3 percent higher than the previous month and 34.4 percent higher than the previous year, according to data released Thursday by the Warren Group.

At the same time as foreclosures spiked, the number of foreclosure petitions filed by lenders — the first step in the process— fell 33.3 percent from September to October.

Last month there were 993 foreclosure deeds recorded compared to September when 799 foreclosure deeds were recorded. Last October there were 739 foreclosure deeds recorded. Despite the spike, foreclosure activity has eased compared to the spring and summer when the number of deeds recorded each month exceeded 1,000. Still, year-to-date foreclosure deeds have surged 67.5 percent to 10,603 from 6,332 during the first 10 months of last year.

Foreclosures continue to be higher in urban areas of the state like Worcester, Springfield, Dorchester, Brockton and Lawrence.

Auction announcement increased 30.3 percent this October compared to last and auction announcements spiked 34.1 percent year-to-date compared to last year.