The police recorded 5.4 million offenses in those 12 months, a decrease of 5.5 percent from the previous 12 months, representing the largest decline in crime statistics for 40 years. Ninety-three percent of recorded crimes were property offenses. Recorded crime fell in all but five police force areas in England and Wales. While burglaries fell by 8 percent, thefts by 8 percent, and vehicle crimes by 9 percent, the rate of violent crime rose by 6 percent, including a 5 percent rise in the number of reported robberies. 9 figures, 3 tables, 5 notes, and 1 appendix