Violent crime down 4 percent in U.S.

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WASHINGTON, June 11 (UPI) -- Violent crimes reported in the United States declined 4 percent in 2011 compared with the previous year, preliminary statistics released Monday by the FBI show.

The statistics, based on information from 14,009 law enforcement agencies, showed murders declined 1.9 percent nationwide and forcible rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults all fell by 4 percent.

The number of property crimes decreased 0.8 percent, the FBI said. Burglaries rose 0.3 percent while larceny-thefts fell by 0.9 percent, motor vehicle thefts declined 3.3 percent and arsons decreased 5 percent.

Violent crimes declined in all four regions: 0.8 percent in the Northeast, 4.5 percent in the South, 4.7 percent in the West and 4.9 percent in the Midwest.

Property crimes rose 0.2 percent in the Northeast and decreased 0.4 percent in the Midwest, 0.8 percent in the West and 1.3 percent in the South.