Cars and homes still easy targets
A small rise in two basic categories of offense, robberies and vehicle theft, was recorded in 2001, according to statistics released by the Public Order Ministry. More specifically, 1,735 robberies were recorded in 2001 as against 1,581 the previous year. Total vehicle thefts rose from 18,941 in 2000 to 19,026 in 2001. This is the first time that there has been an increase in a crime category since 1998, when intensive policing was introduced. Other crimes showed a decline in numbers, with homicides down to 132 from 146 in 2000 and thefts and burglaries down to 45,689 from 46,233. Sexual exploitation also saw an increase, reaching 438 in 2001 from 272 in 2000. But this rise is attributed by police officers to more intensive policing of this category of offense. Foot patrols The drop in crime has been attributed to more police officers on the street, as part of systematic efforts to clamp down on crime. This was reinforced by hiring more special police for foot patrols or to guard potential targets, thus freeing up police officers for the work of actual policing. At the same time, police equipment was modernized. New measures The slight rise in the two categories mentioned, as far as police are concerned, confirms the need for still more measures. Criminals inevitably adapt to the new situation, so that they can continue to carry out their illegal activities. On the basis of these facts, the Ministry of Public Order has drawn up measures to combat crime more effectively. For the first time in this country, a group has been to plan crime-fighting policy set up, effectively a precursor to the establishment of an institute for crime policy, similar to those already operative in other countries. Heading the team is Stefanos Skotis, director of Police Headquarters Public Security, and it includes academics who have specialized in crime-fighting issues, sociologists, criminologists, lawyers, and service personnel. Their objective is to plan, coordinate and monitor crime-fighting policy. The team will be constantly kept up-to-date on the current state of crime and on factors that contribute to any changes. It will also be asked to process data on social stereotypes of crime and crimefighters, and use it to formulate proposals for the Public Order Ministry’s policy on crime, cooperation with local communities and a package of mild interventionary measures. At the same time, this team will embark on a series of short; mid- and long-term steps with the following aims: – preparing a model anti-crime policy; – drafting legislation to establish an institute for crime policy; – policies for monitoring and control of white-collar crime; – initiating and developing institutional relations with local communities and social groups; – highlighting policies the police need to deal with problems arising from the changing nature of crime; – improving the organizational structure of the police force and promoting local police stations as reference points for policing; – developing educational policies concerning staff attitudes, studying the workplace and providing staff support; – rating policing problems. According to the ministry’s plan, the team, which began work on January 28, must complete its work within two years. Another measure which is beginning to be implemented is that of local crime prevention councils, which will be set up in municipalities with more than 3,000 inhabitants and will make proposals to improve crime-fighting in each area.
