In 2023, 35 murder cases were recorded, in which 38 people died. Of these, 17 victims were killed by their current or former partner or lover. This is higher than the average of the last ten years.
Highest homicide rate
- Number murders in Norway has remained relatively constant over the last ten years. However, this year's number - 38 victims - is the highest since 2013. Compared to other countries, Norway has had few murders. For small numbers, changes in numbers can have large percentage changes, says Sigurd Moe, head of the violence section at the Norwegian Department of Criminal Investigations.
Among the perpetrators, 91 percent were men, 61 percent of them had previous convictions in Norway, and 57 percent were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs at the time of the murder. Half of the perpetrators were unemployed or used social security.
Number of perpetrators in age above 51 years old, which amounted to 2023 people in 14, is higher than the average of four people per year over the last ten years. 76 percent murders were committed in private homes.
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- Above half of the victims she was killed by someone close to her. If you look at murder cases in Norway more generally, women are most often killed by someone in a close relationship, while men are most often killed by an acquaintance. Almost half victims were women, says Moe.
– In 2023, we saw an increase in the number of murders, especially intimate partner murders. Police and emergency services must take violence in close relationships seriously. It is known that the vast majority of intimate partner murders have a history of violence. Several of these cases involve reported murders, Moe says.
The knife was the most common method of murder and was used in 42 percent of cases. Eleven murder victims died by firearms. This is more than the average of the last ten years, which is just under four per year.
Charges have been filed in all murder cases registered in 2023.
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Source: politiet, Photo: pixabay
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