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 Switzerland in 2019.
Some 432,000 cases were recorded, a drop of 0.2%. This included 36,419 house burglaries, a drop of 50% compared to the record year of 2012. Forty-six murders were reported, of which 29 were related to domestic violence – slightly above the 10-year average of 25. Police documented 679 rapes, 53 more than in 2018.
Online troubles
Cases of fraud jumped by 8%, continuing a trend which has seen such crimes more than double in a decade. This may be linked to a larger rise in online criminality, the FSO reckons, though it adds that it needs more statistics before drawing conclusions.
A total of 17,606 cases of fraud were reported last year.
The Conference of Cantonal Police Commanders of Switzerland (CCPCS), the body providing coordination between the regional police forces, said on Monday that it was working to boost “networking” between different cantonal forces to tackle online crime.
Examples of such infractions include the fraudulent misuse of a computer (5,583 cases in 2019, a rise of 598 relative to 2018) and pornography-related offenses (2,387 cases, a jump of over 50%).
Also on Monday, the Zurich police warnedExternal link against increasing fraud in relation to the coronavirus shutdown in the country. Older people in particular should be wary of people calling to their door and offering to purchase groceries, or to disinfect their apartment. Though acts of solidarity are indeed common in recent weeks, some of these offers are by hucksters, the police said.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
Swiss politician resigns after firing shots at Jesus picture
What can be done to protect biodiversity in your country?
Swiss voters are set to decide on a people’s initiative calling for better protection of ecosystems in the country. Have your say on the September 22 vote.
Switzerland edges closer to stricter screening of foreign investments
This content was published on
Foreign investors are set to face greater scrutiny in Switzerland as one parliamentary chamber passes the so-called Lex China bill.
Increase in animal testing in Switzerland last year
This content was published on
Almost 600,000 animals were used in animal experiments in Switzerland in 2023 - an increase of 1.6% compared to the previous year.
Beleaguered Swiss watch industry calls for political support
This content was published on
The Swiss watch industry is going through difficult times as global demand declines and the strong franc piles on the pressure.
This content was published on
Hollywood star Pamela Anderson will be honoured at the Zurich Film Festival for her career and role in the film The Last Showgirl.
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
Crime figures on foreigners spark outcry
This content was published on
Official data on criminal convictions have re-kindled a political controversy about the expulsion of foreign criminal offenders from Switzerland.
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.
This content was published on
Almost three-quarters of all detainees in Swiss prisons are of foreign origin, a study shows. An analysis of the factors behind the numbers.
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.