RISC of Crime


Gauging a towns' risk of crime is a complex process, which result is best reviewed in that town's relative position to the national crime rate as based on a scientific process reviewing observed and expected (predicted) rates for the diverse socio-economic, landuse and crime parameters.

The RISC MODEL investigates each town and village in Malta at NUTS 5 level (Local Councils) of which there are 68 in the Maltese Islands: 54 in Malta and 14 in Gozo. Based on data from 1998 onwards, each town is analysed for its risk of crime on an annual basis by types of crime of which there are 18 main categories: 17 thematic categories and a Grand Total category.

The risk of crime looks at the offences in each town and gauges its risk of offence as against the national rate. The analysis results in a league table of Maltese town's risk of crime. The table shows those Local Councils that are the safest to live in, the ones in between and those that are the worst off. In addition, the rate of change over the years are analysed and the Local Councils showing improvement and deterioration are depicted.

 

A RISC Colour Code was created to help gauge the severity in visual form.

 

 

The RISC League of Tables: 2020

 

 

The Previous Years - All Offences

 

The Previous 3 Years - Grand Total Offences

2018
2019
2020

 

 

The Previous 3 Years - Theft from Residence

2018
2019
2020

 

The Previous 3 Years - Vehicle-Related

2018
2019
2020

 

 

The Previous 3 Years - Commercial

2018
2019
2020

 

The Previous 3 Years - Domestic Violence

2018
2019
2020

 

 

 

RISC Model: League Tables for 2020

As part of a review of RISC Modelling for the Maltese Islands, a number of analytical studies have been carried out for the period between 1998 and 2020. Domestic Violence and Commercial Activity-related RISC has been included as from 2015.

 

 

Grand Total Offences

In terms of Grand Total Offences, the highest category, that ranking at 5 times or higher than the national rate, experienced no localities membership. At a rate between 2 and 5 times the national rate, Floriana took pole position above Valletta, Mdina, Marsa, San Giljan and iz-Zebbug Gozo,
 
At a rate between the national up to twice that rate one can find San Pawl il-Bahar, Bormla, Pieta, Hamrun, Ta’ Xbiex, Msida, Munxar, Paola, Luqa, Gzira, Gudja, Birgu, Ghajnsielem, Sliema, Isla, Marsaxlokk, Santa Venera, Qormi, Marsascala, Mellieha and Birzebbugia.

All the other Councils host a lower that national rate, albeit none have a Zero RISC.

 

 

Theft from Residences

Whilst this category of offences registered no councils having over 5 times the national rate of offences, in 2020, the relative RISC still appears for Msida, Tarxien, San Pawl il-Bahar, Ta’ Xbiex, Pieta and Bormla, the latter registered within the 2x-5x RISC. The rate between the national up to twice that rate category includes Marsaxlokk, Hamrun, Valletta, Sannat, Paola, Birzebbugia, Munxar, Sweiqi, Gudja, Isla, Ghasri, Luqa, Marsascala, Gzira, Balzan, Marsa, Santa Lucija, Lija and Mellieha. In contrast, most other zones have lower than average rates and that Fontana registered zero residential offences in 2020.

 

Theft of and from Vehicles

During 2020, Marsa took top spot, followed by Hamrun, Gudja and Bormla as the highest RISC areas where one's car could be vandalised, broken into and/or stolen, which towns host between 2 and 5 times the national rate. Note that these towns host parking and transport-related activities that attract offenders to high-volume and relatively less monitored opportunities. Mdina. Mtarfa, Qala, Ghasri and Fontana hosted zero offences.

 

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence reports pertain to stalking, slight bodily harm, grievous bodily harm and psychological harm. Munxar, Bormla, Floriana and Isla host between 2 and 5 the national rate. With diminishing rates of RISC, it is imperative to note that a significant number of councils exhibit some form of domestic violence that is above the national rate (yellow in the RISC maps depicted in the CrimeMalta website) at 1-2 times the rate. In effect all towns have incident reporting but may register lower than national rates.
At the other end of the scale, San Lawrenz registered zero offences, a phenomenon also found in rural and small areas were the changes in legislation may yet have an effect in terms of encouraging victims to report.

 

Commercial Activity-related

There were no localities hosting more than 5 times the national rate. Towns that host between 2 and 5 times the national rate of offences comprise San Lawrenz, Gudja, San Giljan, Kirkop, Ta’ Xbiex and Pembroke, indicative of their proximity to the main economic centres such as the San Giljan recreational zone. The least RISC registering towns at zero RISC include Xewkija, Qrendi, Dingli, Nadur, Santa Lucija, Fontana, Xghajra, Birgu, Gharghur, Isla, Lija, Sannat, Kercem, Qala, Ghasri and Gharb. This reflects the pandemic closure in action as retail and economic structures slowed or closed.

 

Link to RISC 2015-2019