In the 12 months examined, 5.1 million offenses were recorded by the police in England and Wales. The number of crimes reported decreased by 260,400 or 5 percent compared to the same 12 months in 1993-94. Ninety-three percent of the reported crimes were against property (Burglary, theft, fraud and forgery, criminal damage, and arson); this included 1.2 million burglaries and 1.3 million vehicle crimes. Violent crimes (Violence against the person, sexual offenses, and robbery) accounted for 6 percent (301,400) of all crime recorded over the 12 months. Overall, violent crime decreased by 2 percent compared to the same 12 months in 1993-94. This is the first 12-month decrease in recorded violent crime for almost 50 years. Burglaries decreased by 69,000 or 5 percent to 1.2 million, the second consecutive decrease over 12 months. Thefts decrease by 162,000 to 2.5 million, a 6-percent decrease. Within this category, vehicle crimes decreased by 130,000 or 9 percent to 1.3 million. Rape offenses decreased by 2 percent to 4,800, the first decrease since 1981. 8 figures, 7 tables, and 5 notes