MIDDLETOWN — Violent crime in Middletown was on the rise in 2008, while many parts of Butler County saw declines.

This is according to the FBI’s annual Crime in the United States database, which recently compiled crime statistics for 2008 from local law enforcement agencies.

The FBI reported 320 violent crimes in Middletown in 2008, compared to 223 violent crimes in 2007.

Middletown police Maj. David VanArsdale speculated that the struggling economy is leaving people angry and desperate, leading to violent crime.

“You would see an increase in robbery when you see a downturn in the economy,” he said. “People are out of jobs, out of money and start turning to crime to compensate for their lack of income.”

But property crimes — including 894 burglaries, 189 auto thefts and seven arsons — dropped to 3,820 in 2008 from 4,040 the year before.

Middletown still experienced fewer crimes in 2008 than Hamilton, which has a larger population, though Hamilton’s violent crime rates declined last year. Hamilton saw 414 violent crimes last year and 4,105 property crimes.

Hamilton Police Chief Neil Ferdelman attributes the decrease to a new crime-fighting strategy that targets troubled neighborhoods.

“I do think our community oriented policing concept works,” he said. “By having patrol resources and by having some extra resources that work hand-in-hand with community members, we’re able to see some reductions in crime.”

2008 violent crime

“Pop.” is population, and “total” is the number of violent crimes.

Hamilton

Pop.: 62,498 Total: 414

Middletown

Pop.: 51,266 Total: 320

Fairfield

Pop.: 42,315 Total: 165

Monroe

Pop.: 15,025Total: 40

Oxford

Pop.: 22,243 Total: 96

West Chester

Pop.: 55,672 Total: 87

Source: FBI Crime survey