WASHINGTON—Violent crime rose across in the country in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period the year before, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by the FBI.
The statistics show a 1.7 percent jump in the number of violent crimes reported by local law enforcement to the FBI, with increases in murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
Burglary and arson crimes, however, dropped in the first six months of last year, the FBI said.
Crime in the United States drew public attention last year as many major American cities reported spikes in the number of homicides in their communities. The FBI statistics, pulled from 12,879 law enforcement agencies, show a 6.2 percent jump in murders from January to June 2015.
“While the overall violent crime rates remain historically low, and it is too early to draw any long-term conclusions, the Justice Department is acutely focused on the increases being experienced in some communities of the country,” said Justice Department spokesman Patrick Rodenbush.
He said the department next month would bring together representatives from every U.S. attorney’s office for training on anti-violence strategies.
