A violent crime or crime of violence is a crime in which an offender or perpetrator uses or threatens to use force upon a victim. This entails both crimes in which the violent act is the objective, such as murder or rape, as well as crimes in which violence is the means to an end. Violent crimes may, or may not, be committed with weapons. Depending on the jurisdiction, violent crimes may vary from homicide to harassment. Typically, violent criminals includes aircraft hijackers, bank robbers, muggers, burglars, terrorists, carjackers, rapists, kidnappers, torturers, active shooters, murderers, gangsters, drug cartels, and others.
According to the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements' Global Report on Human Settlements 1996, violent crime has increased in most cities in recent years. Homicide, infanticide, assault, rape, sexual abuse and domestic violence now make up between 25 and 30 per cent of urban crime in many countries. Violent crime is also growing in rural areas, though more slowly.
Violent crime in the UK rose by 28% between 1988 and 1992.
The group most likely to fall victim to violent crime is the same as the group most likely to commit it: young men aged between 18 and 25.