WASHINGTON — The number of violent crimes reported to police across the country fell 4 percent last year when compared to 2010, the fifth straight year of declines.

The FBI also said today that the number of reported property crimes went down 0.8 percent, the ninth straight year-to-year decline.

The bureau says murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault all went down in 2011.

Violent crime decreased in all four regions: 4.9 percent in the Midwest; 4.7 percent in the West; 4.5 percent in the South and 0.8 percent in the Northeast.

Motor vehicle theft dropped 3.3 percent, and larceny-theft decreased 0.9 percent. Burglary offenses increased 0.3 percent.

The preliminary data is based on information the FBI gathered from 14,009 law enforcement agencies around the United States.