FBI: Bank Robberies Down in 2005 Overall, but Up Regionally in 2006

John S. Burnett, Associate Editor

Each September, the FBI publishes the details of its analysis of criminal activity in the prior year, gleaned from its 75-year old Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Their release of 2005 data reports that a violent crime took place every 22.7 seconds, and a robbery every 1.3 minutes; and that property crime victims lost an estimated $16.5 billion in 2005.

Violent crime, which includes robberies, increased 2.3 percent over 2004 figures, but was down 3.4 percent from 2001, and declined 17.6 percent from 1996. Robberies were 30 percent of the reported violent crimes for the year.

Robbery reports were up 3.9 percent over 2004 figures, but down an estimated 22.1 percent from 1996. By far the most robberies reported took place on streets or highways -- only 2.1 percent of reported robberies took place at banks. However, bank robbery statistics show the highest average dollar value taken: $4,169 per offense.

While the national trend is a decline, many major market areas are seeing increases at a record pace in 2006. Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and New York City are all experiencing an alarming number of thefts with LA having the most. Approximately two-thirds LA's 249 bank robberies that have occurred this year have not been armed robberies. Only notes were used to commit these crimes. One-third were "takeovers" where customers and employees were forced to the floor or even taken hostage.

The 6,266 reported bank robberies for 2005, reflect a drop of 8.9% from 2004 levels, and are reportedly 14.6 percent fewer than in 2001. The 2005 estimated average "take" for bank robberies was down slightly from the previous year's $4,221.

The annual Crime Report represents estimates of activity based on data reported to the FBI by all levels of law enforcement. The FBI's press release and the full 2005 report are available here.

First published on BankersOnline.com 10/17/2006