Jan. 17--HAMPTON -- Violent crime dipped in Hampton for the tenth straight year, police officials said Wednesday.

The violent crime rate declined by 6 percent last year in comparison to 2010, the Hampton Police Division said in a news release.

The violent crime rate includes homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Each of these areas saw an decrease in 2011, the release said.

Hampton had 10 homicides in 2011, which was down 31 percent from 2010, said Cpl. Jason Price. The city had 20 rapes last year, which was a decrease of 29 percent from 2010, Price said. There were 155 robberies in 2011, which is a decrease of 2 percent. Aggravated assaults dipped by 4 percent, Price said. There were a total 139 of those offenses last year.

Property crimes also declined by 17 percent last year. Property crimes included larcenies, property offense and motor vehicle theft.

The overall crime rate was also reduced in 2011 by more than 2 percent, the release said.

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