WASHINGTON — The FBI said this morning violent crime reported to police in 2009 declined for the third straight year.

The 5.3 percent drop in violent crime was accompanied by a 4.6 percent drop in property crime, marking the seventh consecutive year that nonviolent crime has dropped.

Each of the violent crime categories decreased from 2008, as did each of the property crime categories.

Murder fell by 7.3 percent, robbery by 8 percent, aggravated assault by 4.2 percent and rape by 2.6 percent.

Motor vehicle theft was down by 17.1 percent, larceny by 4 percent and burglary by 1.3 percent.

The bureau said victims of property crime, aside from arson, lost an estimated $15.2 billion during 2009.

Data for the FBI's annual crime report comes from 17,985 governmental units and universities and colleges representing over 96 percent of the nation's population.