SERIOUS CRIME remained at relatively unchanged in 2011 compared to the previous year, while the detection rate dropped slightly, police chief Michalis Papageorgiou said yesterday, saying the main increase was recorded in the number of burglaries.
Presenting crime and detection statistics for 2011, Papageorgiou said there was a “slight increase” of 0.5 per cent between 2010 and 2011 in cases of serious crime. Specifically, 8,387 cases were reported in 2010 of which 4,463 (53.2 per cent) were solved. In 2011, there were 8,430 reported cases of which 4,243 (50.3 per cent) were solved.
“Many of these cases are still under investigation and the detection rate will likely improve,” he said.
He clarified that for the purposes of police statistics, a crime is considered solved if police believe that enough evidence has been collected to start criminal proceedings against a suspect, regardless of the outcome in court.
The police chief acknowledged a slight increase in murders with eight recorded in 2011 compared to seven in 2010. From the eight, three were solved, while in 2010, all seven were solved.
Papageorgiou said a number of murders in 2010 involved families and friends, making detection of the culprits easier. He highlighted that the situation has improved considerably compared to 2009, when 19 people were murdered.
In 2011, there were also 13 attempted murders of which 11 were considered solved. The year before, 11 attempted murders resulted in 10 cases going to trial.
There was no increase in the number of rapes in 2011, reaching 36 of which 31 (81.6 per cent) were solved, three more than in 2010. The two attempted rapes last year were both solved.
The number of recorded arsons dropped from 171 in 2010 to 163 in 2011, as did the detection rate from 22 in 2010 to 18 last year.
Contrary to popular opinion, said Papageorgiou, robberies saw a decrease of over 12 per cent, from 156 to 137, of which 59 (43.1 per cent) were solved.
However, burglaries saw a rise of 4.6 per cent from 3,232 cases in 2010 to 3,381 in 2011. The detection rate dropped by 2.7 per cent, with 1,068 cases solved last year.
Papageorgiou acknowledged the problem posed by burglaries, adding: “We have taken measures and the last few months we are seeing an improvement.”
Regarding thefts, levels remained close to 2010, with 29 per cent of the 1,687 cases recorded in 2011 considered solved.
Drugs cases rose by over 10 per cent from 851 to 940 in 2011, of which 96.6 per cent of cases saw criminal proceedings being launched against 1,052 suspects.
From those considered guilty, the largest age group is between 19 and 24 years of age.
In 2010, 54 cases of property destroyed by bombs were recorded of which only two were solved. Last year, the detection rate fell by half. From the 52 cases recorded only one case was solved.
“It is a fact that these cases are very difficult to solve. We will not stop trying. We have taken measures, and we feel that the situation will improve in terms of prevention and the detection rate,” he said.
The number of people found to be illegally present in country decreased by 29.3 per cent from 1,857 in 2010 to 1,312 in 2011.
“Where we’ve seen a large reduction is in asylum seekers and that is attributed to the rapid processing of their applications, and to the economic crisis, since many no longer choose to come to Cyprus for work,” he said.
The police chief acknowledged that police recorded a 19.6 per cent increase in fatal road accidents in 2011, from 56 to 67 and 18.3 per cent increase in the number of those who died from 60 to 71.
In 2010, 77.3 per cent of drivers or passengers killed in road accidents were not wearing a helmet or seat belt. In 2011, the figure dropped to 55.4 per cent, though mainly due to an increase in the numbers killed.
Roughly a third of those who died in 2010 and 2011 were under the age of 25.
Regarding disciplinary proceedings against police members, there was a 29.8 per cent reduction in 2011 of disciplinary cases from 161 to 113.
From the 113, only three involved cases of corruption, he highlighted.
Meanwhile, today there are 24 members of the force currently suspended. Almost half of those, 11, were suspended in 2011.
Papageorgiou maintained that despite the statistics, Cyprus was still a relatively safe place to live and safer than most countries in Europe.
According to statistics for 2009, nine offences were committed per 1,000 residents in Cyprus, almost six times less than the average figure of 57 per 1,000 residents in the EU.
The perception of an increase in crime impacts tourism, investments into the country and the quality of life of residents, he said.
