Not from a Good Life - The Number of Petty Thefts is Growing in Latvia 0 8

Responsible authorities, not just the police, must actively work to inform the public about individuals committing such crimes, as they may threaten Latvia's internal security, said Ruks.

Last year, police work was "tense and stressful," said Ruks, who believes that Latvia is a relatively safe country, but society cannot live with the thought that there will be no crises - people must be able to protect themselves.

Last year, the State Police registered 34,787 crimes, while other investigative bodies recorded 37,373 crimes. The highest number of crimes was registered in Daugavpils and Riga.

The number of serious crimes increased by 223 cases last year, while the number of grave crimes decreased by 675 cases.

The number of less serious crimes significantly increased - by 1,563 cases, and the number of criminal offenses decreased by 348.

According to statistics, last year saw an increase in sexual crimes against minors, while the number of some crimes decreased. There was also an increase in fraud-related crimes and cases of animal abuse.

The number of petty thefts grew the most last year.

Ruks believes that it is necessary to find mechanisms that will help reduce the number of petty thefts. Although they are not dangerous, they complicate the everyday life of the victims.

According to Ruks, petty thefts are rising at a time when people are experiencing a decline in their well-being, leading them to commit quick criminal acts with minimal material gain.

He urges politicians and law enforcement to discuss the possibility of combating petty thefts through administrative rather than criminal procedures, as this would make the punishment for petty theft more inevitable.

The head of the State Police also stated the need for mandatory registration of prepaid SIM card users to reduce the level of fraud.