Spain is ‘one of Europe’s safest countries’ as crime stats drop

THE crime rate in Spain has decreased by 1.9 per cent in the first six months of this year if compared with the same period of 2014, according to the figures released by the Internal Affairs Ministry.
Homicides and murders have dropped by more than a quarter (26.5 per cent), while violent robberies have also seen a decrease, of 12.1 per cent. Violent delinquency has decreased by 10.6 per cent and vehicle theft by 3.8 per cent. Drug trafficking also saw a decrease of 3.4 per cent.
The rate of criminality is 44.3 crimes and offences per 1,000 inhabitants, rating Spain as one of the safest countries in Europe, according to the ministry.
“This reduction in crimes and offences is believed to be linked to prevention and reduction regulations pursued by the government,” said a government statement.
The highest decrease in the criminality rate was registered in Ceuta (8.5 per cent), followed by Asturias (7 per cent) and La Rioja (5.3 per cenet).
The study was based on the data provided by National and Regional Police, Guardia Civil and the Local Police, as well as information provided by the European Union Statistics Office.