The murder weapon Internet strikes more and more often
At first glance, this is a pleasing result: In Switzerland, the number of registered crimes fell for the sixth time in a row in 2018. A record low in theft, but more cybercrime offenses. The police are upgrading accordingly.
In the Crime statistics 2015 it was reported for the first time that, with around 487,000 recorded crimes, the figure had fallen below the 500,000 mark. At that time, burglary and robbery each fell by 20 percent. The current Crime statistics As in previous years, 2018 again presents lower figures: a good 432,750 registered crimes are reported. The Conference of Cantonal Police Commanders (KKPKS) emphasizes that although the result is pleasing, the decline of "only" around one percent is significantly below the previous year's figure. Its president, Stefan Blättler, justifies this with the fact that after the strong decrease of the previous years a stagnation had to be expected. He also referred to the shift of offenses to the Internet. This is a major challenge for the police corps.
Nevertheless, every hour over three burglaries
Crimes against property continue to account for the largest share of criminal offenses, at two-thirds. Compared to 2017, these fell by three percent to around 288,650 offenses. According to the KKPKS, the lower figures in the area of theft (excluding vehicle theft) by six percent to 128,621 offenses were particularly significant. The number of burglaries fell by seven percent to 30,383. Blättler speaks of a positive result. "However, it also means that there are still more than three burglaries every hour in Switzerland." Crimes that could only be solved or prevented thanks to meticulous investigative work, trace matching and presence with sufficient human resources, the KKPKS president says.
A look at the theft statistics shows that lower figures result particularly in the following areas:
- Vehicle burglary (-29.5%)
- Burglary (-6.6%)
- Pickpocketing (-12.9%)
Significant increase in shoplifting
Shoplifting has lost none of its appeal. All forms of theft declined in 2018 compared with 2017 (see Fig. 1), with one exception: shoplifting. This increased by ten percent compared to the previous year. It should be noted that individual cantons know simplified procedures by which shoplifting detected in shopping stores can be handled directly via the judiciary (e.g. government governors). The actual number of shoplifting cases registered is therefore higher than the police can report, according to the police crime statistics.
More cybercrime
As mentioned, "traditional" crime such as burglary and sneak-in theft has decreased significantly since the record year of 2012 compared to 2018 (-47.3%). But it would be a mistake to think the world has become safer. The criminal guild is keeping pace with the economy. Like them, thieves are also treading the path of digital transformation. The number of crimes committed via the Internet has increased significantly. It is not possible to put a precise figure on this, because according to the cantonal police commanders, a large number of unreported cases must be taken into account. According to the KKPKS, the increase in fraud (+3060 offenses, +23%), misuse of data processing equipment (+627 offenses, +13%), extortion (+316 offenses, +49%), unlawful appropriation (+241 offenses, +9%) and unauthorized intrusion into data systems (+187 offenses, +46%) would also indicate an increase in cybercrime.
In its cantonal statistics, the canton of Zurich, for example, goes into more detail about cybercrime, because more and more offenses would have a reference to the "crime weapon Internet": In 2018, more than half of all recorded fraud offenses were committed via the Internet. Fraud offenses (Art. 146 StGB) with reference to computer and internet use increased by 63% (+840), while offenses without reference to computer and internet use decreased by a good 15% (-309 offenses).
Statistics to be supplemented in 2020
In order to record cybercrime statistically, a comprehensive scheme has been developed, according to the current federal police crime statistics. Provided the quality of the data allows it, those responsible at the Federal Statistical Office intend to publish the first figures in 2020.
The same applies to the crime of cybercrime: only what is reported to the police ultimately appears in the statistics. In this context, we would like to refer once again to the advice of the Federal Reporting and Analysis Center for Information Assurance (cf. www.melani.admin.ch): Anyone who has been affected by a cyber attack and no longer has access to their data should never pay a ransom in the event of an extortion attempt, but should contact the police immediately.
Network against digital crime established
In the meantime, the Network Investigation Support Digital Crime Fighting (Nedik) has been established on behalf of the cantonal police commanders. This instrument is intended to promote cooperation between the cantons. The Nedik network is also used to create a national case overview, which ultimately ensures the transfer of knowledge among police forces. Uniformed officers would exchange information on new cybercrime phenomena both regularly and on a daily basis, and join forces in the area of investigations.
Without investigators specialized in cybercrime, it is hardly possible anymore. For example, the St. Gallen cantonal police, together with the public prosecutor's office, has created a cantonal competence center for handling cybercrime offenses. This center began operations last fall and is being successively expanded. According to Stefan Kühne, head of the criminal investigation department, its core task is to track down perpetrators of cybercrime across national borders and to convict them despite complex technical and legal issues.
Sexual offenses: Shift to the virtual space
The cantonal police commanders write that a shift from the real to the virtual sphere can be assumed not only in the case of property crimes, but also in the case of sexual offenses. These crimes increased by a total of eight percent to almost 7,500 cases. The increase in the areas of pornography (+21% to 1817 offenses) and sexual acts with children (+24% to 1303 offenses) was particularly striking, they said. "We must do everything we can to protect the most vulnerable members of our society even better," says Stefan Blättler.
