13,000 violent crimes reported in Kansas during 2023: KBI

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is releasing its 2023 statewide crime statistics Wednesday which show violent crime remains high in the Sunflower State.

The KBI issued a press release on July 10 containing some highlights from its latest annual crime statistics report. This compiles information gathered from both state and local law enforcement agencies.

Violent crime in Kansas is down by 3.7% from 2022 with declining numbers in each category. In total, nearly 13,300 violent crimes were reported across Kansas for murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault and battery. However, violent crime remains 8.6% above the 10-year average.

The KBI said overall property crimes are up by 2.6% following a steady decline. The year 2023 marks the first since 2017 that the state experienced a rise in property crime reports.

The KBI report cites information gathered from the Topeka Police Department (TPD) for 2023 which include the historically high murder rate which occurred during the year. Violent crime and property crime statistics for Kansas' capital can be found below:

• Violent Crimes
  • 10.1 per 1,000 residents
  • Murder - 34
  • Rape - 69
  • Robbery - 128
  • Aggravated assault and battery - 1,025
  • Total - 1,256
• Property Crimes
  • 42.1 per 1,000 residents
  • Burglary - 661
  • Theft - 3,793
  • Motor vehicle theft - 809
  • Total - 5,263

Topeka came in second in terms of its murder rate when compared with statistics collected by other law enforcement agencies. The Wichita Police Department reported 39 murders while the Kansas City Police Department reported 24 over the course of 2023.

To read through the full report from the KBI for 2023's crime statistics, click here. You can also read through a copy of the report below:

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