VBPD 2025 Crime Data – Violent Crime Lowest in 5 Years

On today, Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul W. Neudigate delivered a landmark 2025 crime briefing to the City Council, revealing sweeping reductions in both violent and property crimes. Despite navigating significant staffing vacancies and the tragic killing of two of their officers, the department saw a 6.7% reduction in Part I Violent Crime (homicides, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults).  This follows the 20% reduction in Violent Crime in 2024.  From 2023 to 2025, the City of Virginia Beach has experienced a 27% decline in Violent Crime—underscoring a period of exceptional operational efficiency and community safety.

Highlights

• Of the 7,154 Part I crimes reported in 2025, only 5.9% (419) were the crimes of homicide, rape, robbery, or aggravated assault.  In fact, violent crimes are down 6.7% compared to 2024 and down 17.2% compared to the previous three-year average (2022 – 2024).  The 419 violent crime offenses in 2025 were the lowest in the past five years.
• Part I property crime is down 11.4% compared to 2024, from 7,607 offenses to 6,735, the lowest amount of property crime offenses in the past five years.  Of particular note:
  • Commercial Burglary decreased 37% compared to 2024, from 180 to 114 offenses.
  • Residential Burglary decreased 29% compared to 2024, from 219 to 155 offenses.
  • Motor Vehicle Theft decreased 12% compared to 2024, from 522 to 457 offenses; down 52% compared to 2022 when there were 961 vehicles stolen.
  • Theft from Motor Vehicles decreased 34% compared to 2024, from 1,761 to 1,555 offenses; down 52% compared to 2022, when there were 3,258 cars broken into.
• Juvenile Shooting Victims are down 50% compared to 2024; juvenile Shooting Suspects are down 45% compared to 2024.  
• The homicide rate for 2025 fell by 6% compared to 2024; down 38% from 2023, with homicides decreasing from 24 in 2023 to 15 in 2025. For the second year in a row, detectives cleared 100% of their homicide cases. VBPD’s homicide clearance rate continues to far exceed the national average of 59% (as reported by the FBI in 2024).  
  • Despite having the largest population of the seven cities in the Hampton Roads region, Virginia Beach ranks 5th in total homicides with 15, yet maintains the lowest homicide rate per population of all. 

Chief Neudigate attributed the continued decline in Part 1 crime throughout 2025 to the bolstered strategic integration of advanced technology, the operational excellence of the Real Time Crime Center, and the VBPD’s exceptional regional collaboration, but more importantly, the Chief commended the persistent dedication and indispensable contributions of VBPD officers, detectives, and support staff.

"The sustained, significant reduction in violent crime in the years leading up through 2025 is a testament to a comprehensive, strategic approach to public safety,” said Police Chief Paul W. Neudigate. "This achievement is driven by the relentless, proactive work of our VBPD officers, whose dedication to high-impact, targeted enforcement—complemented by the expert investigations of our Detective Bureau—has made Virginia Beach safer. These efforts are reinforced by the unwavering commitment of the VB Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and our courts to deliver swift justice and appropriate sentencing for violent offenders."

Neudigate continued, "Beyond exceptional police work and community collaboration, technology has served as a critical force multiplier, effectively bridging gaps caused by lean staffing. Advanced technology, to include integrated community cameras and our license plate reader program, play a vital role in our security strategy. These tools provide real-time intelligence, allowing us to immediately identify suspect vehicles, significantly strengthen and expedite investigations, and maximize our resources."

Chief Neudigate issued a strong warning to anyone with unwelcomed intentions, "In Virginia Beach, violence isn’t just a crime—it’s a definitive path to prison. We have the resources and resolve to find and prosecute those who prey on our community.”