Crime In North Carolina - 2003
Annual Summary Report of 2003 Uniform Crime Reporting Data 1
North Carolina Department of Justice_ State Bureau of Investigation
September 2004
The rate per 1 ()(),()()() people of Crime Index offenses reported to law enforcement agencies throughout North Carolina
decreased 2.4 percent during 2003 when compared to the figures reported in 2002.
The rate of violent crime, which includes murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, fell 5.3 percent statewide.
Individually, the murder rate dropped 10.3 percent, the rape rate decreased 6 percent, the robbery rate decreased 3.3 percent
and the aggravated assault rate decreased 6. 1 percent.
The rate of property crime, consisting of burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft, decreased 2.1 percent across the state.
The rate for burglary decreased 3.6 percent and larceny fell 2.2 percent. The motor vehicle theft rate increased 4.8 percent.
The arson rate, a property crime not included with the other Index offenses, decreased 22.9 percent.
The number of juveniles under the age of 18 arrested for Crime Index offenses fell 2 percent in 2003, compared to a 1 percent
increase in adults 18 and over arrested. Youths under the age of 18 arrested for violent crime decreased 5 percent, while adult
arrests decreased 4 percent. The number of property crime arrests for juveniles under 18 had declined 2 percent, while adult
arrests rose 4 percent.
Table 1 - Statewide Crime Index Rate per 100,000 Persons '
Percent Change, 2002 vs 2003
Total
Index2
Violent
Property
Murder
Rape
Robbery
Agg.
Assault
Burglary
Larceny
MVT
Arson
2002 Rate
4,792.6
475.3
4,317.3
6.8
26.6
150.2
291.7
1,217.4
2,795.5
304.3
29.3
2003 Rate
4.675.4
450.3
4,225.1
6.1
25.0
145.3
273.9
1,173.0
2,733.3
318.8
22.6
Percent Change
-2.4%
-5.3%
-2.1%
-10.3%
-6.0%
-3.3%
-6.1%
-3.6%
-2.2%
+4.8%
-22.9%
'Detailed crime statistics covering the entire state are available through the SBI Web site at http://sbi.jus.state.nc.us/.
2Offense Definitions:
The Crime Index includes the total number of murders, rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries, larcenies and motor vehicle thefts. While arson
is considered an Index crime, the number of arsons is not included in the Crime Index tables.
Violent crime includes the offenses of murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
Murder - The willful (nonnegligent) killing of one human being by another.
Forcible Rape - The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. Assaults or attempts to commit rape by force are also included.
Robbery - The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or
violence ancfor by putting the victim in fear.
Aggravated Assault - An unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe bodily injury. This type of assault is usually
accompanied by the use of a weapon or other means likely to produce death or serious bodily harm. Includes attempted assaults.
Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.
Burglary - The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft. Includes attempted forcible entry.
Larceny - The unlawful taking, carrying, leading or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another.
Motor Vehicle Theft - The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.
Arson - Any willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn, with or without the intent to defraud.
3The population figures used to calculate 2003 population coverage and crime rates are based on population data from the North Carolina Office of State
Budget, Planning and Management.
NOTE: Information in this report represents data submitted by state and local law enforcement to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program as of August 24,
2004.
Issued by the:
North Carolina Department of Justice
Roy Cooper, Attorney General
http://www.ncdoi.com
State Bureau of Investigation
Robin P. Pendergraft, Director
For Information Call 1-888498-9429
