Property Crimes Rose 11 Percent in 2011

The government says the number of violent crimes rose by 18 percent in the United States while the rate of total property crime increased 11 percent, from 125.4 to 138.7 victimizations per 1,000 households between 2010 and 2011.

Household burglary increased 14 percent, from 25.8 to 29.4 victimizations per 1,000 households.

Theft increased by 1.2 million victimizations, up from 11.6 in 2010 to 12.8 in 2011.

The number of vehicle thefts remained steady, according to the report, with 628,000 victimizations occurring in 2011.

The report did find that over a 10 year period between 2002 and 2011, total property crime declined 18 percent; there was no change in the burglary rate during the same period.

The information comes from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics’ annual national crime victimization survey.

The bureau cautions that the size of the percentage increases in both violent crime and property crime is driven in large part by the historically low levels seen in 2010.