Latvia State Police 2011: theft, murder and cybercrime
Last year, 52,024 criminal offences were registered in Latvia, of which 2,433 were classified as particularly serious. 1188.lv reports on the briefing by State Police Chief Ints Ķuzis to parliament.
State Police Chief to Parliament: crime rate falling since 2009, but new threats growing
According to 1188.lv, State Police (VP) Chief General Ints Ķuzis briefed deputies on 14 February in the Saeima's Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Commission on the previous year's police performance results. Last year, 52,024 criminal offences were registered in the country, of which 2,433 fell into the category of particularly serious crimes. Overall, the crime rate in Latvia has fallen since 2009, although a slight increase of 1.79 per cent was recorded last year.
Public opinion polls show that 48 per cent of the population trusts the police — more than the State President, trade unions, government and parliament.
Crimes against property dominate
Ķuzis emphasised that the majority — 68.7 per cent — remain crimes against property. Last year their number exceeded 35,000, which was 2.5 per cent more than in 2010.
The deterioration of the economic situation has also affected the nature of crime: last year there were several attacks on banks. Ķuzis identified institutions where cash accumulates as the places at highest risk — gambling halls, pawn shops and commission shops. Organised gangs of robbers have not been identified in connection with these attacks. Gambling halls tend to be robbed by people addicted to gambling, while pawn shops attract attention due to the possibility of quickly obtaining small but valuable items.
Thefts in shops, homes and from cars are also widespread. "I have always said that a car is not a safe and you should not leave valuables in it," reminded the Police Chief. Last year, the State Police organised a preventive campaign "A Car is Not a Safe", within which car owners were given informational materials. A brochure was also produced titled "Make sure your home is protected against theft".
Car theft and organised crime
Car owners can take some comfort in the news that last year the number of car thefts decreased. However, Ķuzis clarified that the majority of cars are stolen in collaboration with organised crime groups, which transport the requested makes of vehicles mainly to Lithuania, then by rail to Russia, Kazakhstan or other countries. Lithuania has become one of Europe's main centres for the trade in stolen cars. Last year thieves were particularly interested in Honda CR-V vehicles.
"A phenomenon in the past year was mirror theft from many cars — particularly BMWs — but by educating owners about the need for marking, the number of such thefts has decreased," Ķuzis informed.
Murder and alcohol
In 2011, unfortunately, slightly more murders were registered than the year before. Ķuzis stressed that 90 per cent of them were committed whilst intoxicated — spontaneously resolving domestic conflicts. At the same time, the number of registered offences against a person's health, sexual inviolability, family and minors, as well as against general safety and public order, decreased.
Cybercrime — a new challenge
Ķuzis noted that new forms of organised professional crime are increasingly appearing — in particular cybercrimes against bank and other security systems in other European Union countries for the purpose of money theft. In this connection, Latvia has come to the attention of Europol, although residents of Lithuania are much more actively involved in such crimes.
Ķuzis also expressed concerns that many Latvian citizens who have left the country have become involved in criminal activities abroad: "It must be taken into account that, as economic activity decreases in their current places of residence, these people could return to Latvia and continue doing the same thing here."
Debate over the reasons for the reduction in crime
Deputy Jānis Ādamsons expressed the assumption that the reduction in crime in recent years may not be so much related to the achievements of law enforcement agencies as to the relocation of the population — including law-breakers — to live abroad. However, such an explanation would only be partially true, the State Police indicated.
Structural changes in the State Police
The past year was a year of change for the State Police, undoubtedly influenced by the tragic events in January in Jēkabpils. In the first half of the year, an assessment of the existing structure was carried out and as a result changes were made to the service structure. In March, the State Police Chief's office and the Press and Public Relations office were closed, with a public relations department created in their place.
A State Police incident response system was also established, which is currently being tested in operation across the entire territory of the state. A Cabinet of Ministers regulation project on the registration of criminal offences and police response times was drawn up. Control over driving a vehicle whilst intoxicated, the use of seat belts and child seats was also increased, and preventive campaigns "Be Visible!", "Spot the Bicycle!?" and "Don't Drive Whilst Intoxicated!" were organised.
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)