FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky State Police released its 2023 Crime in Kentucky report July 1, with human trafficking and animal cruelty as the two largest increases for reported offenses of serious crimes.  

The report showed there were 60 human trafficking offenses in 2023, compared to 43 in 2022, a nearly 40% increase. KSP said it believes the rise in human trafficking reports may be related to an increase in training for law enforcement, service and educational professionals, as well as a nationwide push for heightened community awareness.

Animal cruelty is also on the rise, with 991 offenses reported in 2023, compared to 734 in 2022, a 35% increase. This is due to some individuals often abusing more than one animal at a time, KSP said. 

Overall, there were 239,930 Group-A Offenses reported in Kentucky in 2023. That's an increase of more than 2,000 from 2022, which saw 237,818 serious crimes. Among the most prevalent include larceny/theft offenses (56,462), drug/narcotic offenses (53,119), assault offenses (50,833), destruction/damage/vandalism of property (21,767), motor vehicle theft (13,535) and burglary/breaking and entering (11,070). 

The report indicated declines in homicide, burglary, robbery, sex offenses, kidnapping and gambling. This marked the third straight year of declining homicide rates. 

"One crime committed is one too many," said Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky. "Our law enforcement and government leaders remain focused on deterring crime, protecting Kentucky families and providing services to victims. At the beginning of my second term, I pledged to remain committed to creating that better Kentucky we all want for future generations, and every day, my administration reaffirms this promise."

KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said anyone with information to report to law enforcement should call 911 or one of KSP's 16 posts. Those looking to report tips confidentially can do so through the KSP website tip form. 

“Protecting Kentucky’s 120 counties requires a collaboration between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and I am proud to say that our state does this well,” Burnett said. "It is because of this that we are seeing progress being made every day. I encourage Kentuckians to stay vigilant of their surroundings, take notice of changes and remain focused on protecting our most vulnerable population – our children." 

Beshear's administration said he has made public safety a priority since taking office, securing a more than $18,000 pay increase for KSP troopers and officers.

Statistics within the report are collected through the receipt of offense and arrest data, KSP said, which are submitted to police by law enforcement agencies throughout the state. KSP added it requires law enforcement to submit their data through the National Incident-Based Reporting System, the standard reporting system for the FBI.