Thefts up and violence down in 2011

The number of thefts reported to the police in 2011 was up on 2010, but crimes of violence and crimes of a sexual nature were down, according to figures released on Monday.

A total of just under 693,000 offences were registered, in comparison with 657,000 the previous year, the Federal Statistics Office said.

The highest jump, 16 per cent, or nearly 30,000, was in thefts. Other areas which saw a rise were violations of the law on foreign nationals – up ten per cent – and offences against the law on narcotics, which rose by two per cent.

The law on foreign nationals covers such offences as illegal entries and stays. As far as narcotics offences were concerned, there were more cases of possession and more drugs seizures, but fewer violations of the law banning consumption.

Crimes of violence were down by seven per cent, and sex crimes down by three per cent.

The number of minors charged with criminal offences was down by 21 per cent. Overall, the number of people charged fell by just under two per cent. The number of permanent Swiss residents facing charges was down, but among non-permanent residents and asylum seekers it rose.