Crime figures in Helsinki continue to fall - street security remains good

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In the course of January through March this year, the number of crimes reported to the Helsinki Police Department decreased by more than seven percent compared with the same period last year. The street security index, measuring how safe the streets are, has remained at over 70 points. The larger the figure, the safer the area is.
      A total of over 16,580 Penal Code violations were recorded by the police during the first three months of the current year. The number of crimes against life and health dropped by some four percent, while the number of sexual offences fell by over 30 percent, and the number of property crimes decreased by close to 12 percent relative to the previous year.
     
Of all crimes against life and health, the numbers of mild assaults and assaults dropped, whereas the number of aggravated assaults reported in the capital city increased by six incidents. However, the total number of assaults did not indicate any noticeable change compared with the same period last year.
      As for sexual offences, the number of cases of sexual abuse of children decreased almost by 60 percent over the first months of the year. During the first three months of this year, the police recorded 23 incidents of child sexual abuse, while the corresponding figure for last year's first quarter was as high as 54.
     
According to the police statistics, the number of all property crimes was in decline. Particularly the numbers of thefts, robberies and cases of vandalism dropped compared with the same time in 2005.
      The number of thefts was 3,660, indicating a decrease of 12 percent. Moreover, the number of robberies was only 106, while last year's corresponding figure was 137. A total of 11 robberies were break-ins into stores, while in 92 cases private persons became victims of a robbery.
     
The number of cases of vandalism recorded by the police was 1,268, showing a decrease of 84 incidents relative to the previous year. The largest numbers of cases of vandalism were recorded in downtown Helsinki, including the districts of Kallio, Kamppi, Munkkisaari, and Kluuvi.
      Furthermore, the opening of the Kamppi Center shopping complex can already be seen in the police statistics: The number of reported offences in the Kamppi district grew by over 30 percent compared with the same period last year.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Street crime declining in Helsinki - sex offences go down by half (21.3.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat