INLAND EMPIRE – (INT) - Crime surged upward in much of Riverside County the first quarter of the year.

Statistics show a 16 percent increase in violent crime because of more robberies and aggravated assaults. Property crime rose about 1 percent compared to the same period last year.

By contrast, there was a 22 percent drop in burglaries.

The report covers the first three months of the year in the county’s unincorporated areas and the 17 cities that contract with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for police protection.

Story Date: May 28, 2015