Crime in Estonia down 7% in first quarter of 2016
In the first three months of 2016, the total number of reported crimes in Estonia decreased by seven percent compared to the same period in 2015.
A total of 6,973 crimes were reported to law enforcement authorities across the country from January to March of 2016 — 537 or approximately seven percent fewer than during the same period last year.
Thefts made up the biggest number of crimes, with a total of 2,186 cases of theft reported — an 11 percent decrease from the same period in 2015. There was a seven-percent decline in the number of reported physical abuse cases as well, which totaled 1,273.
The number of reported robberies fell by 15 percent to 70 cases, while traffic crimes increased by one percent from 880 to 893 between the first quarters of 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Offenses against persons totaled 1,596 during the first quarter of the year, including five cases of murder or manslaughter — the same number as during the first quarter of the previous year. The number of reported cases of rape declined slightly, however, from 48 to 41.
The number of reported case of fraud increased from 401 to 406, while the number of breaches of public order grew from 89 to 125.
The total number of crimes reported in Estonia fell to a record low level last year, while the percentage of crimes solved rose. While in 2005 a total of 55,586 criminal offenses were reported in Estonia and in 2008 the total still exceeded 50,000, the current decade has seen annual crime totals remain below 50,000 and continue to decline.
According to Ministry of Justice statistics, in 2011, the number of criminal offenses reported was 42,567; in 2012, the total was 40,816, in 2013, the total was 39,631; in 2014, 37,787, and in 2015, the number of crimes reported totaled 32,575.
During the same time period, the total percentage of crimes solved has increased overall. In 2011, a total of 55 percent of all reported crimes were solved; in 2012, 2013, and 2014, the percentage solved dipped slightly to 52 percent; last year, the percentage of crimes solved jumped to 63 percent, with a total of 20,472 crimes solved in 2015.
Editor: Editor: Aili Sarapik