State police cleared up two out of three criminal offenses – Liechtenstein
VADUZ – The state police have published their 2021 annual report. They recorded 1,147 criminal offenses, of which they were able to solve 66 percent. It is striking that the number of crimes against property and property increased significantly at the time, while the number of drug-related offenses decreased significantly. In the meantime, the state police had to deal with new phenomena when it came to the corona pandemic.
Burglaries, shots on cars in Gamprin, a cyber attack on the University of Liechtenstein, severe domestic violence and numerous complex fraud investigations – the state police again had their hands full in 2021. However, the number of criminal cases rose by only 1 percent to 1147. According to their own statements, the police were able to clarify two thirds of these cases. This means that the clarification rate has fallen by 12 percentage points compared to the previous year. This is related to a sharp decline in narcotics offences.
In the case of property and property crimes, such as burglaries, the clear-up rate rose to 36 percent. The cases here have increased significantly compared to the previous year. They accounted for 17 percent of all offenses (previously: 12 percent). This puts the number of crimes against property and property back at pre-pandemic levels. Violent crimes have decreased by 25 percent. One reason should therefore be the calming of the situation at the Schaan post office. In the most beautiful there were also four “homicides”. These were experimental facts in connection with a case of domestic violence, the shooting in Gamprin, a traffic offense and a homicide.
Half as many drug offenses
The criminal offenses under the Narcotics Act have decreased by 55 percent. The state police attribute this to fewer activities in public space and, on the other hand, to fewer proceedings on suspicion of dealing in BM (cannabis and/or cocaine). Since narcotics crime is a control offence, the number of unreported cases is large. The number of drug-related deaths (3) also bears witness to this.
Economic crimes increased significantly by 5 percent. However, this increase says little about the actual investigative effort. Investigations into economic criminal proceedings – some of which involve arrested suspects – continue to involve considerable human resources. In the often very complex white-collar crime cases, the state police have to evaluate extensive documents and papers, create cash flow analyzes and interview countless people. It was impossible for the burden to remain so great that not all cases and court orders could be completed. For this reason, the police have built up their resources in the field of financial investigations.
Corona kept the police on their toes
In terms of the corona pandemic, the situation only eased in the spring because the state police were able to dissolve the special police command staff “Corona” due to the better starting position. But it was not to remain so quiet: in the fall, the weekly demonstrations on Peter-Kaiser-Platz kept the police on their toes. She remembers, however, that the rallies are believed to be peaceful. The only problems were posters and statements made by some participants (insults and Holocaust comparisons). The arrest of an internationally wanted state denier in the environment of critics of the measures also highlighted this worrying development in Liechtenstein.