WASHINGTON, D.C. — Violent crime, including murder and robbery, saw a significant decrease across the U.S. in 2024, according to new data released by the FBI on Tuesday. The report, which relies on information from local law enforcement agencies covering over 90% of the population, also showed a drop in property crimes.
The FBI’s Reported Crimes in the Nation indicates that violent crime fell by an estimated 4.5% compared to the previous year. This included a nearly 15% drop in murders and a 9% decrease in robberies. Property crime also saw a notable decline of just over 8%, with motor vehicle theft alone dropping by almost 20%. The statistics stand in contrast to claims made by some political figures that crime was on the rise.
Despite the overall decline in crime, the report revealed a troubling trend: assaults on law enforcement officers reached a 10-year high. The number of reported assaults on officers rose to 85,730 in 2024, an increase from over 83,000 the year before. The FBI is currently conducting a behavioral analysis study to understand the reasons behind this spike.
In addition to the rise in assaults, a law enforcement official noted that 64 officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty last year.
