Cooper: Rapes, robberies up in 2006 as murder, assaults decline

RALEIGH (AP) — A mixed report on violent crime in North Carolina.

The attorney general says rapes and robberies increased last year while murders and assaults dropped.

The annual crime statistics released today show overall crime rose 0.6 percent.

Violent crime per 100,000 people was up by nearly one percent compared with the previous year. Violent crimes include homicide, rape, robbery and assault.

Cooper says that's close to national statistics for violent crime, which increased 1.3 percent.

Murders in North Carolina dropped nearly nine percent last year. Aggravated assaults declined nearly one percent. Rapes increased nearly six percent. Robberies increased about four percent.

Violent crime had increased six percent in 2005, compared with 2004.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)