After three years of decline, serious crime in Cambridge is on the rise, according to the Annual Crime Report released by the Cambridge Police Department earlier this month.

The city registered a seven percent increase over last year's total crime figures, the report says.

"This seven percent increase in serious crime comes on the heels of 1992's crime index which was the lowest total reported by the Cambridge Police...since 1968," reads the report.

Violent crime in the city increased by six percent and property crime increased by seven percent. But the most noticeable change was the 17 percent rise in aggravated assault.

"The problem locations and types of criminal behavior spotlighted in the Annual Crime Report will be dealt with in a direct and aggressive manner," said City Police Commissioner Perry L. Anderson Jr. in a letter to the citizens of Cambridge.

Figures were more positive for the city's rapes and robberies. There were three fewer rapes in 1993. And the two murders this year matched 1992's figure.

But the decrease in robberies pleased officials most. Following last year's 28 percent drop, robberies fell an additional 12 percent in 1993.

"The 1993 robbery total (253) replaces the 1992 figure as the lowest total reported for this crime in Cambridge since the mid-1960s," the report says.

The report was prepared for the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program by the police department's crime analysis unit.

Report figures for selected serious crimes are compiled in the Crime Index, which is used to compare Cambridge crime with that of cities across the nation.

The report also attempts to discern the motivation of the criminals, the location of the crime and whether offenses are committed against strangers or acquaintances.

Police said they hope to better combat crimes with an increased understanding of their nature.

Robberies were put into four categories to help police identify the reason for the crime.

"Dial a Victim" thieves make take our orders and then rob the delivery personnel, the report says. There have also been a large number of home-less-on-homeless robberies, which are probably under-reported, according to the report.

"Lone Wolf" and "Predator" thieves stalk their victims alone or in pairs and are the cause for the citizen's primary concern, the report says.