Burglaries hit record low in 2020 but violent crime rose
Nearly 33,000 burglaries were recorded in Switzerland last year, down nearly 10% on 2019. The archive photo from 2013 shows the crime scene of an attempted bank robbery near Geneva.
Keystone/Martial Trezzini
The total number of reported criminal offences in Switzerland in 2020 was down slightly compared with the previous year, national statistics show. But the police were kept busy ensuring the population respected government Covid-19 restrictions.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/ug
Português
pt
Criminalidade cai em 2020, mas coronavírus dá trabalho à polícia
Burglaries fell by nearly 10% compared with 2019 to around 33,000 cases. This was in line with an ongoing downward trend. However, the number of violent crimes reported to the police, including homicides, rapes and serious physical attacks increased by nearly 9% to 1,668 in the same period.
The annual compiled figures were published by the Federal Statistical Office and cantonal policeExternal link services.
Nearly 24,400 online offences were also reported last year, according to police crime statistics.
More than 16,000 cases involved cyber fraud, in particular linked to online shopping, real estate advertisements and romance scams, the office said in a statementExternal link on Monday.
The president of Switzerland’s police commanders, Mark Burkhard, welcomed the overall decrease in reported crimes.
However, he noted that the enforcement of anti-Covid restrictions remained a challenge for police.
He warned not to underestimate the police efforts in this area, even though they do not show in the annual statistics.
Swiss major-general named acting head of UN observer force in Golan Heights
This content was published on
Major-General Patrick Gauchat has been appointed acting head of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights.
Accidents up sharply among older skiers in Switzerland
This content was published on
People over the age of 40 account for more than half of all ski injuries in Switzerland, a new study by insurance firm Suva shows.
Switzerland proposes strengthening rights of people with disabilities
This content was published on
The Swiss government is proposing a package of new legislative measures to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in all areas of life.
This content was published on
The Swiss artist Kurt Laurenz Metzler, known for his colorful sculptures made of fiberglass and polyester, has died in Zurich at the age of 83.
Historic Swiss bathhouse on Lake Constance destroyed in a fire
This content was published on
In the northern Swiss town of Rorschach, the 100-year-old Badhütte (bathing hut) on the shores of Lake Constance burned down early Monday morning.
Trump picks Callista Gingrich as ambassador to Switzerland
This content was published on
Incoming United States president Donald Trump has named Callista Gingrich as the next ambassador to Switzerland. Gingrich was posted to the Vatican under Trump's previous term.
Swiss invention: 90-year anniversary of first T-bar ski lift
This content was published on
On Monday it will be 90 years since the world’s first T-bar ski lift went into service in Davos. This Swiss invention was an instant success.
Iran summons Swiss ambassador over US and Italy arrests
This content was published on
Iran has summoned the Swiss ambassador, who represents US interests, to protest against the arrest in the US and Italy of two Iranians.
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
Fraud and online crime on the rise in Switzerland
This content was published on
While ‘hard’ crimes such as murder remain rare, and numbers of thefts are dropping, fraud and online crimes relating to pornography continued to rise in 2019.
This content was published on
The number of registered thefts in Switzerland has nearly halved since 2012 but fraud is increasing. Violent crimes remain stable.
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.
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.