WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Violent crime in the United States fell 2.5 percent last year as cities and towns across the country reported fewer murders, rapes and other incidents for a second straight year, the FBI said on Monday.

The FBI’s preliminary statistics could ease concerns that gangs, youth violence, more gun crimes and fewer police could lead to a long-term rise in crime.

In 2008, the number of murders fell by 4.4 percent, aggravated assaults by 3.2 percent, rapes by 2.2 percent and robberies by 1.1 percent.

Property crimes like auto theft were down 1.6 percent from 2007 levels as they continued to fall from their 2003 high, according to the FBI data.

Auto thefts fell 13.1 percent and thefts fell 0.6 percent but burglaries rose 1.3 percent. Arsons fell 3.9 percent.

Crime was down in all areas of the United States except the Northeast, where property crimes rose 1.6 percent.

Small towns with fewer than 10,000 residents were the exception as they posted a rise in all violent crime categories. Murders were up 5.5 percent in these areas.

Violent crimes fell from 1991 to 2005 due to what experts described as better enforcement, economic prosperity and declines in high-risk populations of young adults.

The number of reported crimes rose in 2005 and 2006.