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report from the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shows declines in several major crime categories across the state during the first half of 2026, including aggravated assault, robbery and criminal sexual contact.
According to the report, crimes against persons fell more than 11% compared with the same period in 2025. Aggravated assaults dropped 16%, while criminal sexual contact offenses decreased nearly 9%.
Not all crime categories saw decreases. DESPP officials say there has been an over 12% increase in kidnapping or abduction.
Officials say crimes against property, which include robbery and embezzlement, have dropped by over 11% and crimes against society have decreased by over 8%.
Examples of those crimes include weapon law violations along with drug and narcotic violations.
The number of murders and negligent homicides also increased. During the first two quarters of 2026, Connecticut recorded 37 deaths classified as murder or negligent homicide, up from 31 during the same period in 2025.
Officials say the latest data additionally shows a more than 9% increase in driving under the influence offenses. Municipal police chiefs attributed the rise to increased targeted enforcement efforts in communities across the state.