Fairfax County 2022-2023 Crime Statistics
The Fairfax County Police Department publishes an Annual Statistical Report each year summarizing reported criminal activity throughout the county. The most recent report as of 2026 compares calendar year 2022 and calendar year 2023 and provides a breakdown of the types of offenses investigated by police.
The sections below outline the major crime categories used in the report and show how frequently they were reported in 2022 compared with 2023. These figures reflect incidents reported to law enforcement and investigated by officers. They do not represent convictions or findings of guilt, but instead describe the kinds of matters police handled during those years.
Crimes Against Persons (2022 vs. 2023)
Crimes Against Persons involve a direct victim. Under the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) used by the Fairfax County Police Department, these are typically interpersonal incidents between individuals rather than property-related crimes.
Specific examples include:
- Assault (aggravated assault, simple assault, intimidation)
- Homicide (murder and manslaughter)
- Kidnapping or abduction
- Human trafficking
- Sexual offenses (rape, sexual assault, fondling, statutory rape)
Key Statistics
Assault Offenses (victims):
- 2022: 8,926
- 2023: 10,096
This was one of the largest increases in the report, rising by over 1,100 reported victims.
Homicide (victims):
- 2022: 23
- 2023: 17
Kidnapping / Abduction (victims):
- 2022: 162
- 2023: 224
Sex Offenses — Forcible (victims):
- 2022: 371
- 2023: 379
Overall, the data shows that assault-related incidents account for the majority of crimes against persons investigated by police.
Crimes Against Society (2022 vs. 2023)
Crimes Against Society are violations of public order laws. These offenses typically do not involve a single identifiable victim but instead involve conduct prohibited by law.
Specific examples include:
- Drug and narcotic violations
- Prostitution offenses
- Gambling offenses
- Weapons law violations
- Obscene material offenses
- Animal cruelty
Key Statistics
Drug/Narcotic Offenses:
- 2022: 1,861
- 2023: 2,807
Pornography/Obscene Material:
- 2022: 233
- 2023: 553
Weapon Law Violations:
- 2022: 716
- 2023: 717
Animal Cruelty:
- 2022: 87
- 2023: 57
The most notable change in this category was the increase in drug-related enforcement activity.
Crimes Against Property (2022 vs. 2023)
Crimes Against Property involve taking or damaging someone else’s property. These offenses make up a large portion of police-reported criminal activity.
Specific examples include:
- Burglary and breaking & entering
- Theft and shoplifting
- Motor vehicle theft
- Fraud and identity theft
- Vandalism
- Robbery
- Receiving stolen property
Key Statistics
Larceny / Theft Offenses:
- 2022: 15,079
- 2023: 16,215
This is the single largest crime category reported by police.
Destruction / Damage / Vandalism:
- 2022: 4,747
- 2023: 5,015
Fraud Offenses:
- 2022: 4,086
- 2023: 4,225
Motor Vehicle Theft:
- 2022: 1,362
- 2023: 1,554
Burglary / Breaking and Entering:
- 2022: 256
- 2023: 256
Robbery:
- 2022: 443
- 2023: 436
Property crimes — especially theft — represent the majority of reported criminal activity in Fairfax County in both years.
Understanding the Statistics
The above Fairfax County police statistics describe reported and investigated incidents, not courtroom outcomes. A reported offense means that an allegation was made and documented by law enforcement. It does not determine whether a crime ultimately occurred, whether a suspect was identified or whether a person was convicted.
Some investigations result in an arrest, while others remain open, lack sufficient evidence or involve unidentified suspects. For that reason, crime statistics should be understood as a record of police activity and reported complaints rather than a measure of guilt or innocence.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s annual report is useful for understanding the types of matters officers handle most often and how those patterns change from year to year, but the numbers themselves do not predict the outcome of any individual case.