A violent crime or crime of violence is a crime in which an offender uses or threatens force upon a victim. This entails both crimes in which the violent act is the objective, such as murder, as well as crimes in which violence is the means to an end, such as robbery. Violent crimes may, or may not, be committed with weapons. Depending on the jurisdiction, violent crimes may vary from homicide to harassment.
Violent crimes are very serious crimes and can be very distressing for the victim. Both physical attacks and threats of assault are considered violent crime. The police will record a crime as violent if the offender clearly intended to harm you, regardless of whether or not you actually get hurt.