Violent Offenses and Property Crimes Down in 2009

Violent crimes and property-related crimes were both down in 2009 -- the seventh straight year both crime categories have seen a decline over figures from the previous year -- according to data released by the FBI in September 2010.

All four violent crimes that are measured by the FBI saw a nationwide decline in 2009: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault, and forcible rape. The overall violent crime rate was down 6.1 percent (429.4 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants) for 2009.

Similarly, all classifications of property crime were down nationwide in 2009: motor vehicle theft, larceny-thefts, and burglaries. The overall property crime rate fell 5.5 percent (3,036 offenses per 100,000 persons) in 2009.

These numbers can be found in the FBI's annual Crime in the United States publication, which is put together using offense data reported by select law enforcement agencies nationwide, under the bureau's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program.

Read the FBI's official report (from www.fbi.gov): Crime in the United States 2009.