NASHVILLE (AP) - Crime is increasing on Tennessee's college campuses for the first time in five years, according to a report released Wednesday by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
The report says the number of offenses reported last year increased by just over 9 percent, although violent crime was down by 6.4 percent.
The single greatest increase was in shoplifting, which jumped 700 percent between 2008 and 2009.
Fraud increased by 75 percent and drug violations increased by 16 percent.
Officials at colleges and universities reporting the largest number of offenses were asked why they thought crime had increased.
Their responses varied, but included the fact that college enrollment had increased 10 percent, likely the result of people trying to improve their skills in a tight job market.
Larceny and theft made up the majority of offenses last year at 38.5 percent.
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