Violent crime down in US: FBI

"Murder declined 10 percent, robbery fell 6.5 per cent, forcible rape decreased 3.3 per cent and aggravated assault declined 3.2 per cent," between January and June, the FBI said.

The fall in violent crime was greater in cities compared to rural areas, falling seven percent in urban areas with populations of one million or more and by 3.8 per cent in non-metropolitan counties.

Small cities, with populations of 10,000 to 24,999, were the exception to the decline, reporting a 1.7 per cent increase in violent crime.

But property crime, which includes burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft, was also down nationwide, the report showed.

Motor vehicle theft dropped 18.7 per cent, larceny decreased 5.3 per cent, and burglary declined 2.5 per cent for the first six months of the year compared with the same period in 2008.

Again, large cities saw the biggest fall in the number of property crimes. They fell by 7.7 per cent in cities with populations of one million or more, the report said.

The full report on US crime statistics is due to be released next year.

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