Violent crime falls in Philly, according to FBI stats

While violent crime has increased nationwide, Philadelphia is seeing both violent and property crime declines, according to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

FBI stats show there has been a 2.3 percent drop in reported violent offenses in Philadelphia and 4.4 percent fewer property crimes. Some highlights:

robberies fell from 8,246 to 7984
theft fell from 40,113 to 38,592
motor vehicle theft saw the sharpest fall from 7,447 to 6,401

Philadelphia did, however, see a rise in murder and forcible rape rates; the latter may be higher to police departments’ use of a wider definition of the crime.