UCR SUMMARY, June, 1997


From: FBI Homepage at:
http://www.fbi.gov/publish.htm
     _________________________________________________________________

   For Immediate Release Washington DC June 1, 1997 FBI National Press
   Office Preliminary 1996 Uniform Crime Report
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   Serious reported crime in the United States declined three percent in
   1996, the fifth annual decrease in a row, the Federal Bureau of
   Investigation announced today in releasing preliminary figures from
   its nationwide Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

   The FBI said that the overall drop resulted from a seven-percent
   decline in violent crime and a three-percent decrease in property
   crime, compared to the previous year. The final figures for 1996 are
   expected to be available in the fall.

   In the category of violent crime, murder showed the greatest
   decline--11 percent, followed by robbery at eight percent, aggravated
   assault at six percent, and forcible rape at three percent. Among
   property crimes, burglary and motor vehicle theft each registered a
   five-percent decrease, larceny-theft fell by two percent, and arson
   remained unchanged.

   By region, the West recorded an eight-percent decrease in serious
   crime, the Northeast a seven-percent decline, and the Midwest a
   two-percent drop. Serious crime in the South increased two percent
   over last year's total. Violent crime fell nine percent in both the
   Northeast and the West, eight percent in the Midwest, and two percent
   in the South. Property crime totals dropped eight percent in the West,
   seven percent in the Northeast, and one percent in the Midwest. The
   South experienced a two-percent increase in property crime.

   Cities in all population groups in the Nation reported declines in
   serious crime. The largest decrease--six percent--was reported by
   cities with populations over one million followed by a five-percent
   decrease in cities with populations ranging from 50,000 to 99,999.
   Rural counties showed a three-percent decline from the 1995 level, and
   suburban counties registered a two-percent drop.

   The Crime Index total decreased in 1995 by one percent, with violent
   crime decreasing three percent and property crime less than one
   percent. The Crime Index total decreased in 1994 by one percent, with
   violent crime decreasing three percent and property crime decreasing
   one percent. In 1993, the Crime Index total decreased by two percent:
   violent crime decreased by less than one percent; and property crime
   decreased by two percent. In 1992, the Crime Index total decreased by
   three percent, violent crime increased by one percent, and property
   crime decreased by four percent.

   The Uniform Crime Reporting Program is a nationwide, cooperative
   statistical effort of over 16,000 city, county, and state law
   enforcement agencies voluntarily reporting data on crimes brought to
   their attention.