RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) – The Virginia State Police released the annual statewide crime analysis report for 2023 on Tuesday.
The annual report provides the rates and occurrences of crimes committed in areas throughout the Commonwealth and breaks down criminal offenses and arrests by reporting agency through the use of Incident-Based Reporting.
According to the report, violent crime throughout the city increased to 207.5 crimes (per 100,000 population) in 2023 from 203 in 2022, representing an overall increase of 1.3%. Violent crime includes offenses of murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery and aggravated assault.
Although the amount of violent crimes reported has increased, the amount of homicides was found to have decreased 16.3%, with 621 reported in 2022 and 520 in 2023. Most victims and offenders were found to be younger males, with 40.6% of victims being men between the age of 18 and 34, and 48.8% of offenders being men between the age of 18 and 34.
The report also found that almost half of all homicides were committed at a home, and that firearms were used in 83.3% of homicides.