Property crimes increased 20% in the first quarter

Finland started 2020 with more crime.

The total number of registered offences against the Criminal Code marked a significant increase (13.7%) in the first quarter of 2020. Especially the crimes against property, which rose by 20%. Robberies, thefts of vehicles and break-ins into houses recorded large increases. Rapes, meanwhile, fell by 16%. 

According to Statistics Finland's data, a total of 110,700 criminal offences were recorded by the police, customs and border guard during January to March 2020, which is 13,400 cases (13.7 per cent) more than in the corresponding period in 2019.

Frauds, robberies and break-ins

51,500 offences against property were recorded, which is 8,600 (20%) more than in the previous year. A total of 7,800 frauds were recorded, which is unchanged from the year before. However, Statistics Finland says "the number of frauds appears to be growing after a few years of decline."

The number of robberies recorded was 513, which is 46.2% from January to March 2019. Of robberies, 123 were aggravated.

A total of 29,100 theft offences (thefts, petty thefts and aggravated thefts) were reported, which is 6,200 cases (27.1%) more than in 2019. The number of aggravated thefts recorded was 700, which is up by nearly 23% the year before.

The recorded number of break-ins into houses and free-time residences was 1,050, which is 33.3% more than in 2019. Altogether, 12,300 thefts and petty thefts from shops were recorded, which is 18.2% per cent more than in the year before.

Thefts of vehicles amounted 1,100, which is 20.1% than in the year before.

Offences against the person

The number of assault offences recorded during January to March 2020 was 7,800, which is 2.3% more than in the first quarter of 2019. A total of 452 aggravated assaults were recorded, which is 105 cases more than in the previous year.

The recorded number of offences against life was 30, which is 12 cases more than in 2019. Attempted homicides numbered 91, which is 36 cases more than in the year before.

In all, 352 rapes were recorded, which is 67 cases (16%) fewer than in January to March 2019.

The recorded number of sexual abuses of a child was 467, which is 15% more than in the year before.

The act on aggravated rape of a child entered into force on 15 April 2019. In the first quarter of 2020, a total of 17 cases of aggravated rape of a child were reported.

In addition, 227 other sexual offences were reported. Of them, 103 were cases of sexual harassment, which is 16 cases (13.4%) fewer than in 2019.