Crime Increased In 2023, Lower Merion Police Annual Report Shows

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — Overall crime increased in Lower Merion Township in 2023 from 2022, according to the Lower Merion Township Police Department's annual report.

The annual report features many statistics and metrics on policing in the township.

But one of the main takeaways is that crime saw an uptick in 2023.

According to the report, 1,005 crime occurred in the township in 2023. That's a slight increase from 2022, which saw 945 crimes.

Below is a breakdown of crimes that occurred in Lower Merion last year:

• Murder — 1
• Attempted Murder — 6
• Rape — 4
• Robbery — 19
• Aggravated Assault — 17
• Burglary — 98
• Theft Over $50 — 604
• Theft Under $50 — 163
• Theft of Auto — 91
• Arson — 2

The report points out that arson and attempted murder were added to the list of crimes due to "recent crime trends."

In total, 2023 had 65,712 police incidents, the highest number since 2019, which saw 66,093 incidents.

Lower Merion Police reported 55 use of force incidents in 2023, as well. During those incidents, only seven people were injured, and just three officers were injured. And, 45 of those incidents involved men, while 10 involved women.

No officers fired their service weapons in 2023, the report shows.

While 2023 had more crimes, it had the fewest amount of juvenile arrests in the lat 10 years, according to the report. Eleven juveniles were arrested in 2023; 2022 had 42 juvenile arrests.

See the full annual report from Lower Merion Township Police online here.