| Documentation: | FBI Crime Data 2012 |
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Publisher: U.S. Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation
Survey: FBI Crime Data 2012
| Document: | Uniform Crime Report - Crime in the United States, 2012 |
| citation: | Social Explorer; U.S. Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation; Uniform Crime Report - Crime in the United States, 2012. |
Chapter Contents
In the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The property crime category includes arson because the offense involves the destruction of property; however, arson victims may be subjected to force. Because of limited participation and varying collection procedures by local law enforcement agencies, only limited data are available for arson. Arson statistics are included in trend, clearance and arrest tables throughout Crime in the United States, but they are not included in any estimated volume data. The arson section in this report provides more information on that offense.
The data presented in Crime in the United States reflect the Hierarchy Rule, which requires that only the most serious offense in a multiple-offense criminal incident be counted. In descending order of severity, the violent crimes are murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault, followed by the property crimes of burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft. Although arson is also a property crime, the Hierarchy Rule does not apply to the offense of arson. In cases in which an arson occurs in conjunction with another violent or property crime, both crimes are reported.
In 2012, there were an estimated 8,975,438 property crime offenses in the nation. The 2-year trend showed that property crime declined 0.9 percent in 2012 when compared to the 2011 estimate. The 10-year trend showed that property crime offenses declined 14.1 percent in 2012 when compared to the 2003 estimate.
In 2012, the rate of property crime was estimated at 2,859.2 per 100,000 inhabitants, a 1.6 percent decrease when compared to the 2011 estimated rate. The 2012 property crime rate was 11.1 percent less than the 2008 estimate and 20.4 percent less than the 2003 estimate. (See Tables 1 and 1A.)
Of all property crimes in 2012, larceny-theft accounted for 68.5 percent. Burglary accounted for 23.4 percent and motor vehicle theft for 8.0 percent. (Based on Table 1.)
Property crimes in 2012 resulted in losses estimated at $15.5 billion. (Based on Table 1 and Table 23.)
In 2012, the rate of property crime was estimated at 2,859.2 per 100,000 inhabitants, a 1.6 percent decrease when compared to the 2011 estimated rate. The 2012 property crime rate was 11.1 percent less than the 2008 estimate and 20.4 percent less than the 2003 estimate. (See Tables 1 and 1A.)
Of all property crimes in 2012, larceny-theft accounted for 68.5 percent. Burglary accounted for 23.4 percent and motor vehicle theft for 8.0 percent. (Based on Table 1.)
Property crimes in 2012 resulted in losses estimated at $15.5 billion. (Based on Table 1 and Table 23.)
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program defines burglary as the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft. To classify an offense as a burglary, the use of force to gain entry need not have occurred. The UCR Program has three subclassifications for burglary: forcible entry, unlawful entry where no force is used and attempted forcible entry. The UCR definition of “structure” includes an apartment, barn, house trailer or houseboat when used as a permanent dwelling, office, railroad car (but not automobile), stable and vessel (i.e., ship).
In 2012, there were an estimated 2,103,787 burglaries, a decrease of 3.7 percent when compared with 2011 data.
The number of burglaries decreased 5.6 percent when compared with 2008 and was down 2.4 percent when compared with the 2003 estimate. (See Tables 1 and 1A.)
The estimated number of burglaries accounted for 23.4 percent of the estimated number of property crimes. (Based on Table 1.)
By subcategory, 59.7 percent of burglaries involved forcible entry, 33.9 percent were unlawful entries and 6.3 percent were attempted forcible entry. (See Table 19.)
Victims of burglary offenses suffered an estimated $4.7 billion in property losses in 2012; overall the average dollar loss per burglary offense was $2,230. (Based on Table 1 and Table 23.)
Burglaries of residential properties accounted for 74.5 percent of all burglary offenses. (See Table 23.)
The number of burglaries decreased 5.6 percent when compared with 2008 and was down 2.4 percent when compared with the 2003 estimate. (See Tables 1 and 1A.)
The estimated number of burglaries accounted for 23.4 percent of the estimated number of property crimes. (Based on Table 1.)
By subcategory, 59.7 percent of burglaries involved forcible entry, 33.9 percent were unlawful entries and 6.3 percent were attempted forcible entry. (See Table 19.)
Victims of burglary offenses suffered an estimated $4.7 billion in property losses in 2012; overall the average dollar loss per burglary offense was $2,230. (Based on Table 1 and Table 23.)
Burglaries of residential properties accounted for 74.5 percent of all burglary offenses. (See Table 23.)
Expanded offense data are the details of the various offenses that the UCR Program collects beyond the count of how many crimes law enforcement agencies report. These details may include the type of weapon used in a crime, the type or value of items stolen and so forth. In addition, expanded data include trends (for example, 2-year comparisons) and rates per 100,000 inhabitants.
Expanded information regarding burglary is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13, Table 14 and Table 15
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17, Table 18 and Table 19
Offense Analysis: Table 7 and Table 23
Expanded information regarding burglary is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13, Table 14 and Table 15
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17, Table 18 and Table 19
Offense Analysis: Table 7 and Table 23
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program defines larceny-theft as the unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another. Examples are thefts of bicycles, motor vehicle parts and accessories, shoplifting, pocket-picking, or the stealing of any property or article that is not taken by force and violence or by fraud. Attempted larcenies are included. Embezzlement, confidence games, forgery, check fraud, etc., are excluded.
In 2012, there were an estimated 6,150,598 larceny-thefts nationwide. The number of larceny-thefts remained virtually the same when compared with the 2011 estimate, but dropped 6.6 percent when compared with the 2008 estimate and declined 12.5 percent when compared with the 2003 estimate.
The rate of estimated larceny-thefts in 2012 was 1,959.3 per 100,000 inhabitants. From 2011 to 2012, the rate of estimated larceny-thefts declined 0.7 percent and from 2003 to 2012, the rate decreased 18.9 percent. (See Tables 1 and 1A.)
Larceny-thefts accounted for an estimated 68.5 percent of property crimes in 2012. (Based on Table 1.)
The average value of property taken during larceny-thefts was $987 per offense. When the average value is applied to the estimated number of larceny-thefts, the loss to victims nationally was more than $6 billion. (Based on Table 1 and Table 23.)
Twenty-four percent of larceny-thefts were thefts from motor vehicles. (See Table 23.)
The rate of estimated larceny-thefts in 2012 was 1,959.3 per 100,000 inhabitants. From 2011 to 2012, the rate of estimated larceny-thefts declined 0.7 percent and from 2003 to 2012, the rate decreased 18.9 percent. (See Tables 1 and 1A.)
Larceny-thefts accounted for an estimated 68.5 percent of property crimes in 2012. (Based on Table 1.)
The average value of property taken during larceny-thefts was $987 per offense. When the average value is applied to the estimated number of larceny-thefts, the loss to victims nationally was more than $6 billion. (Based on Table 1 and Table 23.)
Twenty-four percent of larceny-thefts were thefts from motor vehicles. (See Table 23.)
Expanded offense data are the details of the various offenses that the UCR Program collects beyond the count of how many crimes law enforcement agencies report. These details may include the type of weapon used in a crime, type or value of items stolen and so forth. In addition, expanded data include trends (for example, 2-year comparisons) and rates per 100,000 inhabitants.
Expanded information regarding larceny-theft is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13 and Table 14
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17 and Table 18
Offense Analysis: Table 23
Larceny-theft Table, “Larceny-theft, Percent Distribution by Region, 2012”
Expanded information regarding larceny-theft is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13 and Table 14
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17 and Table 18
Offense Analysis: Table 23
Larceny-theft Table, “Larceny-theft, Percent Distribution by Region, 2012”
In the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, motor vehicle theft is defined as the theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle. In the UCR Program, a motor vehicle is a self-propelled vehicle that runs on land surfaces and not on rails. Examples of motor vehicles include sport utility vehicles, automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, motor scooters, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. Motor vehicle theft does not include farm equipment, bulldozers, airplanes, construction equipment, or water craft such as motorboats, sailboats, houseboats, or jet skis. The taking of a motor vehicle for temporary use by persons having lawful access is excluded from this definition.
There were an estimated 721,053 thefts of motor vehicles nationwide in 2012. The estimated rate of motor vehicle thefts was 229.7 per 100,000 inhabitants.
The estimated number of motor vehicle thefts increased 0.6 percent in 2012 when compared with the 2011 estimates, but declined 24.8 percent when compared to the 2008 estimates and 42.8 percent when compared to the 2003 estimates. (See Tables 1 and 1A.)
More than $4.5 billion was lost nationwide to motor vehicle thefts in 2010. The average dollar loss per stolen vehicle was $6,152. (Based on Table 1 and Table 23.)
Nearly 73 percent (72.9) of all motor vehicles reported stolen in 2010 were automobiles. (Based on Table 19.)
The estimated number of motor vehicle thefts increased 0.6 percent in 2012 when compared with the 2011 estimates, but declined 24.8 percent when compared to the 2008 estimates and 42.8 percent when compared to the 2003 estimates. (See Tables 1 and 1A.)
More than $4.5 billion was lost nationwide to motor vehicle thefts in 2010. The average dollar loss per stolen vehicle was $6,152. (Based on Table 1 and Table 23.)
Nearly 73 percent (72.9) of all motor vehicles reported stolen in 2010 were automobiles. (Based on Table 19.)
Expanded offense data are the details of the various offenses that the UCR Program collects beyond the count of how many crimes law enforcement agencies report. These details may include the type of weapon used in a crime, type or value of items stolen and so forth. In addition, expanded data include trends (for example, 2-year comparisons) and rates per 100,000 inhabitants.
Expanded information regarding motor vehicle theft is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13, Table 14 and Table 15
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17, Table 18 and Table 19
Offense Analysis: Table 23 and Table 24
Vehicle Type: Table 15 and Table 19
Motor Vehicle Theft Table, Motor Vehicle Theft, Percent Distribution by Region, 2012
Expanded information regarding motor vehicle theft is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13, Table 14 and Table 15
Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Table 16, Table 17, Table 18 and Table 19
Offense Analysis: Table 23 and Table 24
Vehicle Type: Table 15 and Table 19
Motor Vehicle Theft Table, Motor Vehicle Theft, Percent Distribution by Region, 2012
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program defines arson as any willful or malicious burning or attempting to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property of another, etc.
Only the fires that investigation determined to have been willfully set are included in this arson data collection. Fires labeled as suspicious or of unknown origin are excluded from these data. Points to consider regarding arson statistics include:
This data collection does not include any estimates for arson because the degree of reporting arson offenses varies from agency to agency. Because of this unevenness of reporting, arson offenses are excluded from Tables 1-7, all of which contain offense estimations. In addition, Metropolitan Statistical Area, state and national offense rates per 100,000 inhabitants (found in Tables 1, 2 and 4-6) do not include arson data.
Arson rates are calculated based upon data received from all law enforcement agencies that provide the UCR Program with data for 12 complete months and are presented in Arson Table 1.
The number of arsons reported by individual law enforcement agencies is available in Tables 8-11, arson trend data (indicating a year-to-year change) are in Tables 12-15 and arson clearance data (crimes solved) can be found in Arson Table 2 and Tables 25-28.
This data collection does not include any estimates for arson because the degree of reporting arson offenses varies from agency to agency. Because of this unevenness of reporting, arson offenses are excluded from Tables 1-7, all of which contain offense estimations. In addition, Metropolitan Statistical Area, state and national offense rates per 100,000 inhabitants (found in Tables 1, 2 and 4-6) do not include arson data.
Arson rates are calculated based upon data received from all law enforcement agencies that provide the UCR Program with data for 12 complete months and are presented in Arson Table 1.
The number of arsons reported by individual law enforcement agencies is available in Tables 8-11, arson trend data (indicating a year-to-year change) are in Tables 12-15 and arson clearance data (crimes solved) can be found in Arson Table 2 and Tables 25-28.
In 2012, 15,656 law enforcement agencies provided 1-12 months of arson data and reported 52,766 arsons. Of the participating agencies, 14,782 agencies provided expanded offense data regarding 45,926 arsons.
Nearly 47 percent (46.8) of all arson offenses involved structures (e.g., residential, storage, public, etc.). Mobile property was involved in 23.1 percent of arsons and other types of property (such as crops, timber, fences, etc.) accounted for 30.1 percent of reported arsons.
The average dollar loss per arson was $12,796.
Arsons of industrial/manufacturing structures resulted in the highest average dollar losses (an average of $42,133).
Arson offenses increased less than one-tenth of 1 percent in 2012 when compared with arson data reported in 2011. (See Table 12.)
Nationwide, there were 18.7 arson offenses for every 100,000 inhabitants.
Nearly 47 percent (46.8) of all arson offenses involved structures (e.g., residential, storage, public, etc.). Mobile property was involved in 23.1 percent of arsons and other types of property (such as crops, timber, fences, etc.) accounted for 30.1 percent of reported arsons.
The average dollar loss per arson was $12,796.
Arsons of industrial/manufacturing structures resulted in the highest average dollar losses (an average of $42,133).
Arson offenses increased less than one-tenth of 1 percent in 2012 when compared with arson data reported in 2011. (See Table 12.)
Nationwide, there were 18.7 arson offenses for every 100,000 inhabitants.
Expanded offense data are the details of the various offenses that the program collects beyond the count of how many crimes law enforcement agencies report. These details may include the type of weapons used in a crime, type or value of items stolen and so forth. In addition, expanded data include trends (for example, 2-year comparisons) and rates per 100,000 inhabitants.
Expanded information regarding arson is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13, Table 14 and Table 15
Property types: Table 15
Arson Table 1, “Arson Rate, by Population Group, 2012”
Arson Table 2, “Arson, by Type of Property, 2012”
Expanded information regarding arson is available in the following tables:
Trends (2-year): Table 12, Table 13, Table 14 and Table 15
Property types: Table 15
Arson Table 1, “Arson Rate, by Population Group, 2012”
Arson Table 2, “Arson, by Type of Property, 2012”
