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For Release June 4, 2007

Preliminary figures indicate that, as a whole, law enforcement agencies throughout the Nation reported an increase of 1.3 percent in the number of violent crimes brought to their attention in 2006 when compared to figures reported for 2005. The violent crime category includes murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The number of property crimes in the United States from January to December of 2006 decreased -2.9 percent when compared to data from the same time period in 2005. Property crimes include burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. Arson is also a property crime, but data for arson are not included in property crime totals. Figures for 2006 indicate that arson increased 1.8 percent when compared to 2005 figures for the same time period.

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The data presented in Tables 1 and 2 indicate the percent change in offenses known to law enforcement for 2005 and 2006 by population group and geographic region, respectively. Table 3 reflects the percent change within the Nation for consecutive years (each year compared to the prior year). Table 4 presents the number of offenses known to law enforcement for agencies having a resident population of 100,000 and over and providing 12 months of complete data for 2006. In addition, Table 4 presents 2005 data, where available, as a point of comparison. All data in this report are preliminary.

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Report issued by Robert S. Mueller III, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. 20535

Advisory: Criminal Justice Information Systems Committee, International Association of Chiefs of Police; Advertisement Close Criminal Justice Information Services Committee, National Sheriffs' Association; Advertisement Close Criminal Justice Information Services Advisory Policy Board

PLEASE NOTE Figures used in this report are submitted voluntarily by law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Individuals using these tabulations are cautioned against drawing conclusions by making direct comparisons between cities because many factors affect the amount and type of crime from place to place. Some of these factors are listed in the annual publication Crime in the United States. More valid use can be made of these figures by determining deviations from national averages and through comparisons with averages for cities in similar population groups (Table 1). It is important to remember that crime is a social problem and, therefore, a concern of the entire community. The efforts of law enforcement are limited to factors within its control. Data users can obtain assistance by calling (304) 625-4995.