In 2018, the police registered some 112,000 thefts in Switzerland, representing a decline of 7.9% from the previous year, according to the latest crime statistics published by the Federal Statistical Office on Monday.
In 2012 there were 219,000 thefts. This includes breaking and entering and pickpocketing, but not shoplifting or vehicle theft.
Robbery (1,644 offences) and property damage without theft (42,243 offences) are also on the decline, both reaching a ten-year low in 2018. The number of burglaries also fell by 7% to 30,383. This still amounts to three burglaries per hour in Switzerland, according to the Conference of Cantonal Police Commanders.
External Content
Vehicle theft also reached its lowest level since 2009. Compared with 2017, fewer bicycles but more e-bikes were reported as stolen to the police.
The total number of offences recorded by the police against the Criminal Code and the Narcotics Act dropped by 1.4% and 4.7% respectively in 2018.
External Content
Increase in fraud
Some crimes saw an increase last year. Fraud increased by 23% to 16,319 cases, the highest figure since statistics were revised in 2009.
Other criminal offences that are less frequent (fewer than 1,000 offences a year), such as blackmailing, con artistry, unauthorised entry into data-processing systems or bilking (dining and dashing) reached their highest level in ten years.
External Content
According to the Conference of Cantonal Police Commanders, 13% more criminal offences were committed, for example in the misuse of data-processing equipment.
Despite an increase in assaults (+745) and simple physical injuries (+187), the total number of all violent crimes per 1,000 inhabitants remained relatively stable at 5.2 per thousand or a total of 1,425, according to the statistical office.
There were 50 homicides in Switzerland in 2018, more than half of which took place at home.
External Content
Drop in offences by minors
With 8,553 cases, the police recorded 0.5% fewer offences by minors in 2018 compared with the previous year. In 2009, there were 14,899 juvenile crimes.
Among those aged 18-24, there was a 1.5% increase (13,859) on the previous year, but this is also a decrease compared with 2009 (16,595). Adults represented 57,796 of the accused, which is an increase of 3.6%. This is the highest value since 2009 when there were 48,666 adult defendants.
The number of minors and adults accused of drug use dropped by 9.6% and 3.4% respectively.
The statistical office notes that this decline mainly affects the consumption of cannabis products. Cannabis use is only punished by a fine for adults and is therefore not reported in police crime statistics.
More
More
Switzerland’s leniency on criminals, explained
This content was published on
When compared with many other countries, Switzerland tends to hand down shorter sentences, particularly for violent crime.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Crime keeps falling in Switzerland
This content was published on
Crime fell by 6.1% last year, with a marked decrease in the number of burglaries and crimes committed by non-residents, the Swiss government reported on Monday.
This content was published on
Police are still trying to establish why an elderly woman stabbed a seven-year-old boy in Basel on Thursday. She did not know the boy or his family.
This content was published on
Official data on criminal convictions have re-kindled a political controversy about the expulsion of foreign criminal offenders from Switzerland.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.