By KRWG News
New Mexico – Violent crime is down in New Mexico, a trend that also is being seen in much of the nation.
Nationwide, the FBI said violent crimes reported to police dropped 5.3 percent last year.
The FBI's latest crime report shows the total number of violent crimes in New Mexico dropped to 12,440 last year from 12,896 in 2008 and 13,085 in 2007.
The rate of violent crime per 100,000 New Mexico residents was 619 in 2009, down from 649.9 in 2008 and 664.2 in 2007.
But murders rose in New Mexico last year 175 compared to 142 in 2008 and 162 in 2007.
The category of violent crime includes murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
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Online: http://www.fbi.gov
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.