Nationally, the murder rate increased 14.8%, with the largest increase of 26% in cities with a population of 250,000 to 500,000. Arson rates increased about 19%, with a surge of 52% in cities with more than 1 million residents.

Incidents of rape fell almost 18% over the six months, while property crime and burglary rates each fell almost 8% and robberies declined about 7%. Violent crimes fell by nearly 5% in the Northeast, the most of any region in the country.

The report offered no explanation for the surge in murders. The FBI cautions against using the statistics to compile rankings of cities and counties, saying that doesn’t “provide insight into the numerous variables that shape crime in a given state, county, city, town, tribal area or region.”