Violent crimes, hate crimes, and property crimes were all down in Virginia in 2025, while pornography and obscene offenses rose, according to a new report from state police.
Compared to 2024, the commonwealth reported a 5.9% decrease in violent crimes, which includes murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. A total of 18,722 violent crimes were reported in Virginia in 2025, according to the Virginia State Police annual crime report.
Watch related coverage: Portsmouth police report a drop in violent crime but see a rise in thefts and fentanyl cases this year
A breakdown of VSP's findings compared to 2024
Violent crimes
- Murders: down 13.04%
- Rapes: down 16.2%
- Robberies: down 8.92%
- Aggravated assaults: down 2.84%
Property crimes
- Burglaries: down 18.32%
- Larceny (theft): down 10.37%
- Fraud: 4.21%
- Motor vehicle theft: down 20.94%
Watch related coverage: Suffolk police report significant drop in crime for 2025
Society crimes
- Drug offenses: down 5.98%
- Weapon law violations: down 5.89%
- Pornography/obscene materials: up 3.99%
- Animal cruelty: down 10.77%
Hate crimes
- Overall: down by 23.99% (hate crimes were up 25.36% in 2024)
Watch previous coverage: Virginia Beach sees significant crime reduction as police chief reports safest conditions in 5 years
2025 violent crime rates per locality in the Hampton Roads region (per 100,000)
- Newport News — 802.91
- Portsmouth — 781.53
- Franklin — 705.24
- Norfolk — 389.7
- Suffolk — 374.1
- Chesapeake — 325.89
- Hampton — 278.2
- Poquoson — 263
- Accomack County — 222.84
- Northampton County — 211.16
- York County — 182.06
- Williamsburg — 176.99
- Isle of Wight County — 137.24
- Surry County — 134.91
- James City County — 125.04
- Southampton County — 118.85
- Virginia Beach — 98.5
- Gloucester County — 53.94
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General trends reported by VSP
Most victims and known offenders of homicides were men between the ages of 18 and 44. 46.3% of all homicides took place in a residence or home. Firearms were involved in 73.7% of all homicides.
36.3% of stolen vehicles were taken from residences. The total value of stolen vehicles across the state in 2025 was over $122 million.
Methamphetamine accounted for the majority of drugs seized in 2025 at 22.6%. Cocaine was the second largest, representing 15.5%.
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