Topeka ? Violent crimes increased in four of the state’s largest cities in 2005, including a 49.7 percent increase in Overland Park, according to FBI figures released Monday.

Overland Park also saw a 75 percent increase in aggravated assaults, compared to 2004 statistics.

On the positive side, forcible rape was down 26.8 percent. In neighboring Olathe, forcible rape was up 4.7 percent in 2005.

Property crimes in Olathe increased 30.5 percent, larceny-theft was up 44 percent, while robbery was down 27.5 percent.

The FBI compiles reports from law enforcement agencies in nine categories of violent crime, including murder, forcible rape and aggravated assault.

Elsewhere, violent crimes were up 15 percent in Kansas City, Kan., but forcible rape was down 6.5 percent there. The city saw increases in aggravated assault, robberies and vehicle theft.

Topeka saw little change in its statistics, with the biggest change in burglary, which was up 22 percent. The number of forcible rapes remained the same, at 50.

Figures for Wichita were not available in the FBI’s report.

Nationwide, the number of violent crimes rose by 2.5 percent, the largest percentage increase since 1991.

While crime increased in all regions last year, the 5.7 percent rise in the 12 Midwestern states was at least three times higher than any other region.

States included in the Midwest region by the FBI are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.