Police attribute rising crime trend to higher tourist arrivals

The year-on-year rise in the number of formal investigations in the first three quarters of this year may be due to the increasing number of tourist arrivals, the police announced yesterday.

In addition to this reason, the police authorities noted their belief that “the condition of economic revivals, the more frequent use of internet for making friends and shopping, as well as the joint operations with police authorities from neighboring regions” have contributed to the rise in investigations.

Between January and September this year, the number of formal criminal investigations totaled 8,802, a 24.1% year-on-year increase. The number falls between the figure in the same period in 2019, the high point, and in 2020.

Across this period, the police recorded more rape cases than ever before. The police stressed that more than half of these rape cases took place in hotel rooms and in 70% of the cases, alcohol was involved.

Increases in the number of cybercrimes and illegal currency exchange were also recorded. The number of cybercrimes has seen a nearly three-fold increase in the period. Across the cybercrimes, in the first nine months of this year, there were 50% more sham online romance and 19% more online investment traps than in 2020.

There were 20% more investigations opened into physical violence during the period. “Loan shark” cases have seen 5% more occurrence and abduction, a closely related crime, has seen nearly 7% more cases.

More than 2,600 investigations necessitated the use of the public surveillance camera system. AL