TRENTON – The Department of Law & Public Safety today released the 2012 Uniform Crime Report (UCR), which shows that the overall crime rate and violent crime dropped four percent compared to 2011.

Robberies decreased six percent from 12,128 to 11,382, and aggravated assaults decreased four percent from 13,489 to 12,938.  While overall the news is positive, the murder rate edged up slightly, from 375 reported incidents to 387, and rape increased from 917 to 969.

“While the latest crime data shows a decrease in the overall crime rate in New Jersey, there is still considerable room for improvement.” said Acting Attorney General Hoffman.  “Reducing the number of shootings and murders in our urban areas continues to be a priority for the Attorney General’s Office and the New Jersey State Police.  The State Police will continue to support our cities in reducing senseless shootings and murders.”  

The annual UCR, prepared by the State Police Uniform Crime Reporting Unit, measures offenses committed during the period spanning from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012.  The report contains data on the rate of reported Index Crimes – offenses which fall into seven crime categories, including the four violent index crimes of murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, and three nonviolent index crimes of burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.  The UCR also contains separate statistical reports on bias crimes, carjacking and domestic violence.

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