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GREENSBORO — Violent crime rates rose across the city and county in 2006, according to reports released this week by the FBI.

Greensboro saw an overall 6 percent increase from 2005 in violent crime figures, which include homicides, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assaults. There were 2,062 reports.

Guilford County figures, which include only crimes reported to the sheriff's office, showed an overall 5 percent increase in violent crime with 217 reports.

But the trend isn't limited to this area. North Carolina saw an overall 3 percent increase in violent crimes, above the national average of just less than 2 percent.

The rising rates of violent crime have been a concern for the U.S. Justice Department, which earlier this year blamed the increases on gangs, guns and youth violence. The Bush administration has pledged to spend $50 million this year to combat gangs and guns and is pushing Congress for new laws to let the federal government better investigate and prosecute violent crime.

Greensboro also is working to tackle gang activity, approving the formation of an eventual 20-member gang unit in the city's police department last month. Both Greensboro police and the Guilford County Sheriff's Office are also working with schools on anti-gang programs for students and teachers.

A five-year look at national crime rates shows the number of homicides, robberies, rapes and other violent offenses committed in 2006 moving toward the peak reached in 2002 with 1,425,000 crimes reported. Crime had dropped dramatically after 2002, the FBI data show.

Property crime rates, which include burglaries, larceny, motor vehicle theft and arson, went down slightly in Greensboro last year, with 14,336 reports — 24 fewer than 2005.

For Guilford County, property crime went up slightly in 2006 with 217 reports, 11 more than 2005.

Statewide, the figure rose 3 percent. Nationally, the rate is down nearly 2 percent.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or at rseals@news-record.com