- Thefts have seen a slight increase overall, though out of 48 sub-categories, 18 experienced an increase with 30 experiencing a decrease. Interestingly, this slight increase comes at a time when pick-pocketing, which was the heavyweight category for all reported crimes has again experienced a 29% decrease in crime when compared to 2018, but the 330 case decrease was offset by 513 cases of increased theft from vehicle (66% increase), 52 cases of theft from building sites (38% increase), 24 cases of thefts from occupied residences (4% increase) and 49 cases of theft from factory premises (20% increase). In terms of decreases, Theft of vehicle experienced a 26% decline (72 cases) with residences vacant and exterior experiencing a 30% decrease, a percentage also experienced by snatch and grab.
Theft comprises 42.5% of all offences, an increase of 2% (103 cases) over the previous year’s drop from 48.2% in 2017 to 41% in 2018.
- Damages increased slightly in 2019, comprising 25.3% of all offences up from 24.7% in 2018 and 22% in 2017, increasing through Involuntary Damage by Hit and Run incidents.
- Bodily Harm stood at 925 cases in 2019, up from 892 cases in 2018 which results in a significant 4% increase, where the main increase was related to Grevious Bodily Harm with Physical Force (39% increase) and Slight Bodily Harm with arms Improper (15% increase).
- Fraud has experienced a 20% decrease (211 cases) following a major high 31% increase between 2017 and 2018. The count for 2018 amounted to 1032 cases, which makes the 2019 figure still second highest, thus maintaining a hold as one of the top 5 crimes in the Maltese Islands League of Tables.
- Computer related crime experienced a 17% decrease over the previous year, falling throughout the sub-categories, except for Unauthorised Deletion of Data.
- Drugs reporting decreased by 54% (drop of 189 cases), decreasing throughout the sub-categories. This decrease followed an increase of 12% between 2017 and 2018.
- Domestic Violence decreased slightly by 1% of all offences, even when it has a 8.5% weight of all reported crimes, reaching 1326 cases, with a 61% increase in Stalking, 3% in Psychological Harm and 4% in Grievous Bodily Harm with Physical Force.
- Threats and Public Violence has decreased by 8% in 2019, mainly through stalking, blackmail, defamation and causing fear of violence, though harassment and threats by means of writing experienced a reduction in reporting.
- Sexual Offences increased by 21% (25 cases) in 2019, maintaining a year-on-year increase initiated since 2015, with an increase in all sub-categories except for indecent exposure which registered a slight decrease.
- Violence against Public Officers decreased by 15% to 185 cases down from a high of 238 in 2017.
- Theft from Residences has again increased by 24 cases or 4% as compared to 2018 reaching 647 cases, a steady increase initiated in 2015.
- Pretended Rights which had been recorded as a separate category in 2017 registered a 6% increase in reports amounting to 183 cases up from 172 cases in 2018.
Money Laundering as recorded for the first time as a distinct category in 2017 registered a 9% increase in 2019, reaching 36 cases from a count of 17 cases in 2017 and 33 cases in 2018.
