US violent crimes jump in first half of 2006 - FBI

WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (Reuters) Murders, robberies and other violent crimes reported in the United States jumped 3.7 per cent in the first half of the year, continuing a troubling upswing that began in 2005, the FBI said today.

The FBI said law enforcement agencies reported that robberies soared by a startling 9.7 per cent, followed by an increase in murders of 1.4 per cent and aggravated assaults of 1.2 per cent.

Last year, the number of violent crimes increased by 2.5 percent, the largest percentage gain in 15 years. The increase came after years of declines.

The US Justice Department then announced that it would conduct a study of why the crime numbers are increasing, a study that has yet to be completed.

Department officials have cited as possible reasons a surge in gang-related violence, spreading use of the illegal drug methamphetamine and demographics, with children of the baby-boom generation entering the years when individuals are most likely to commit crimes.

The officials have rejected any suggestion that an emphasis on preventing terrorism since the September 11 attacks and funding cuts for federal programs to put more police officers on the street were to blame for the increase.

The FBI crime report, which comes out every six months, gave the latest statistics, but provided no explanation for the increase.

It said reported murders were up 3.1 per cent in metropolitan areas, but the largest increase -- 8.4 per cent --occurred in cities with population of between 500,000 and one million.

Robberies were up in all population areas -- rural, small cities, medium sized-cities and big cities. The largest increase -- 12.8 per cent -- occurred in cities with populations of only 10,000 to 25,000.

While violent crimes increased, so-called property crimes went down by 2.6 per cent, mainly reflecting a decline in motor vehicle theft of 2.3 per cent. But burglaries showed an increase of 1.2 per cent and arsons also went up by 6.8 per cent nationwide.

REUTERS AB KP2156