VB police release 2011 crime stats

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Virginia Beach police announced Thursday that violent and property crimes declined in 2011.

Violent crimes include homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crimes include burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

Virginia Beach police said for 2011, violent crime decreased by 4.7 percent when compared to 2010. Homicides increased from 14 to 15, robberies decreased from 424 to 412, aggravated assaults decreased from 326 to 292, and rapes increased from 51 to 58.

According to the FBI's "2010 Crime in the United States," Virginia Beach has the lowest violent crime rate among all cities with a population of 300,000 or more.

As for property crimes, burglaries decreased 3.2 percent, larcenies decreased 8.1 percent, motor vehicle thefts decreased 24.5 percent, and arsons increased 0.8 percent.

Property crime decreased 8 percent compared to 2010.

Virginia Beach police announced that the department cleared 62.8 percent of violent crime cases during 2011 and 28.2 percent of property crime cases.

Police Chief James Cervera said the overall crime rate has continued to decline over a ten year period.