People's social lives have changed during the coronavirus pandemic. There has been less use of public space and increased use of digital communication interactions. This also affected the image of crime.
According to Oslo Police District statistics in 2021, a total of 66 reports were registered throughout the year. This figure was particularly low until May 162 and fell again with the introduction of new measures in late November.
Fall in crime among children and minors
The number of reports of suspects under 18 years of age has decreased by 4% in 2021 and is 7% lower than the average in the pre-pandemic period, i.e. five years before the pandemic.
2021 saw a significant one decline in numbers robberies, while violent crime remained stable.
– Although the pandemic has created new challenges, Oslo Police District provided the population with good preventive services in 2021. We stopped several potential spirals of violence through rapid intervention and good investigation. We also maintained our preventive work in youth environments. We are concerned about the small group young peoplewho commit many and serious crimes. Both municipalities and the Oslo Police District will continue to invest in preventive measures against this group, says Deputy Police Chief Cecilie Lilaas-Skari.
The number of reported sexual offenses increased by 2021% (22) in 211 after a slight increase in 2020 (4%). This number in 2021 was 16% higher than the average for the 5-year period before the pandemic.
The increase in sexual crimes was mainly related to reports about rape (including attempted rape). However, the increase in rapes against children under 2020 years of age observed in 14 continued in 2021. This number was more than twice as high as in the pre-pandemic period. The increase was related to digital abuse and reflects its detection.
In the case of rape people over 14 years of age the number of reports increased by 24% in 2021 and was 10% higher than the average in the pre-pandemic period. This number was particularly high during the summer months and in October. It coincides with society opening up to fewer people infection control measures.
A review of 135 rape reports between May and September found that more than half (52%) were drug related, while 22% related to rape in relationships.
- Sexual offenses are very high priority issues. There is an important process underway in the police district right now to look at how we can best address the whole portfolio criminal cases – and here sexual crimes are a key area. This work will enable us to cope even better with these challenging issues. In this area too, we are working to identify measures and further strengthen police efforts in the digital arena. In this case, it is also important that society and parents think about prevention, so that together we can make children and young people less vulnerable on the Internet, says Cecilie Lilaas-Skari, deputy chief of police in Oslo.
Assault and violence with firearms
The incidence of firearms attacks has been reduced from 35 to 21. On the other hand, the incidence of gun violence has increased and was particularly high in August (5). An analysis of reported incidents in the fall of 2021 showed that tensions in criminal circles as well as tensions related to substance abuse and mental illness appeared to be the basis. Both of these social phenomena could have been affected by the pandemic.
Reduced case handling time
The average processing time for resolved cases was 75 days, compared to 98 in 2019 and 79 in 2020. Percentage resolved cases in relation to the total number cases in 2021 was 34%, compared to 36% and 39% respectively in the two previous years. The arrears portfolio was 5% measured against the number of notices received the previous year.
Source: Politiet
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