The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program defines larceny-theft as the unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another. Examples are thefts of bicycles, motor vehicle parts and accessories, shoplifting, pocket-picking, or the stealing of any property or article that is not taken by force and violence or by fraud. Attempted larcenies are included. Embezzlement, confidence games, forgery, check fraud, etc., are excluded.
- In 2010, there were an estimated 6,185,867 larceny-thefts nationwide.
- The number of estimated larceny-thefts dropped 2.4 percent in 2010 when compared with the 2009 estimate. The 2010 figure was a 6.6 percent decline from the 2006 estimate.
- The rate of estimated larceny-thefts in 2010 was 2,003.5 per 100,000 inhabitants.
- From 2009 to 2010, the rate of estimated larceny-thefts declined 3.0 percent, and from 2001 to 2010, the rate decreased 19.4 percent. (See Tables and .)
- Larceny-thefts accounted for an estimated 68.1 percent of property crimes in 2010. (Based on Table .)
- The average value of property taken during larceny-thefts was $988 per offense. Applying this average value to the estimated number of larceny-thefts shows that the loss to victims nationally was over $6.1 billion. (Based on Tables and .)
- Over 26 percent (26.4) of larceny-thefts were thefts from motor vehicles.
Expanded larceny-theft data
- Expanded offense data are the details of the various offenses that the UCR Program collects beyond the count of how many crimes law enforcement agencies report. These details may include the type of weapon used in a crime, type or value of items stolen, and so forth. In addition, expanded data include trends (for example, 2-year comparisons) and rates per 100,000 inhabitants.
- Expanded information regarding larceny-theft is available in the following tables:
- Trends (2-year): Tables , , and 14
- Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Tables , 17, and
- Offense Analysis: Tables
- Larceny-theft Table, “Larceny-theft, Percent Distribution by Region, 2010”