The Federal Bureau of Investigation has reported that serious crimes dropped another 5 percent in the first half of this year -- extending a six-year trend. The preliminary FBI figures are for the number of crimes committed, rather than crime rates per 100,000 population, and are based on reports from police agencies around the country.

• According to the FBI, violent crimes were down 7 percent and property crimes were down 5 percent, compared with the first six months of 1997.

• Robberies declined 11 percent and homicides declined 8 percent.

• Aggravated assault and rape both dipped 5 percent.

• In property crime, auto theft declined 8 percent, larceny- theft dropped 5 percent and burglary fell 3 percent.

The half-year report comes weeks after the FBI released its final 1997 figures -- which showed the national homicide rate reaching its lowest point in 30 years.

Serious crimes were down 8 percent in the Northeast, 6 percent in the West, 5 percent in the South and 1 percent in the Midwest.

Source: AP, "FBI Reports 5 Percent Drop in Serious Crime," New York Times, December 14, 1998.