New York murder rate at record low

The murder rate in once crime-ridden New York is set to drop to an historic low, according to figures out today.

Murder rates plunged by 8.4% across the entire state in the first six months of the year, according to FBI figures.

Meanwhile, police in New York City expect to record their lowest-ever murder rate this year.

It is a dramatic turnaround for a city which recorded a massive 2,245 murders in 1990, when some areas were virtual no-go areas.

According to FBI figures, revealed by New York governor George Pataki, the state’s overall crime rate dropped 2.8% this year, with violent crime down more than 50%.

The state-wide murder rate dropped 8.4% in the first six months of 2004, compared with the same period last year.

Violent crime is down by 3.6%, compared with a 2% decline nationally.

Mr Pataki put the success down to “common-sense reforms” which have “kept violent criminals behind bars, and provided strong support for our law professionals”.

But New York police have not had the same success in cutting the number of rapes.

Sex attacks are up 2.5% compared with a national increase of 1.4%.

Meanwhile, murders in New York City have dropped 3.6% from the same period in 2003, according to police.

Between January 1 and December 5, 528 people were murdered in the city.

Crime has been on the decrease in New York in recent years.

According to the FBI’s 2002 Crime in the United States report, crime across America rose by about 0.1% that year but it fell by 5% in New York.

Former city mayor Rudolph Giuliani was credited with bringing about a big reduction in crime with a “zero tolerance” policy.

The strategy targeted all crime, even petty offences.

At the time it was criticised in some quarters because more black youths were stopped and searched by police.