Violent crime down in 2013, FBI statistics show

Violent crime in the United States decreased in the first six months of 2013, compared to those months in 2012, the FBI reported Tuesday. The FBI's Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report, released Tuesday, noted all offenses in the category of violent crime, including murder, non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, aggravated assault and robbery, declined in 2013. The statistics, based on information submitted by 12,723 law enforcement agencies, show the number of murders declined by 6.9 percent, forcible rapes declined 10.6 percent, aggravated assaults decreased 6.6 percent and robbery offenses were down by 1.8 percent. Offenses in the property crime category, specifically burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft, show declines as well.