The crime rate in the Czech Republic increased by 3.5 percent to 199,221 cases in 2019 after a steady decline in the five preceding years, according to the annual police statistics.
In 2019, police authorities registered an increase in the number of homicides, attempted murders, and cybercrime. The crime rate increased in all regions, except the Liberec region in the northwest and Zlín region in the southeast.
In total, there were 143 cases of attempted murder and murder, 27 more than in 2018. Of this number, 81 cases represented an actual murder.
The increase of 27 cases may seem high, but as the Director of the Bureau of Criminal Police and Investigation Service Michal Foit said, it is because there were very few murders in 2018.
Personal relationships, especially adultery, were the most common motive for murders.
The most common types of crime in the Czech Republic were property crimes, with more than 100,000 cases. For example, the number of burglaries in 2019 rose by 195 cases compared with 2018. Cases involving thieves who moved between regions or countries were also on the rise in 2019, with these networks stealing money and jewelry.
Overall, in 2019, the perpetrators caused damage worth more than CZK 24 billion, which is about CZK 6 billion more than in 2018.
According to the police authorities, the increased value of assets stolen contributed to the rise in monetary damage.
According to Foit, the number of crimes on the Internet and other computer networks has been growing for the third consecutive year. Last year, there were over 8,400 such crimes, which is about 1,600 more than in 2018.
The number of violent crimes increased slightly, by 53 cases. The main share in the total amount constituted intentional bodily harm, with more than 4,500 such cases. There were also nearly 700 rape cases.
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