The crime rate in Iceland increased last year, driven primarily by an increase in invasions of privacy and illegal entry, as well as arrests due to failure to obey or respect police officers. The number of thefts and burglaries dropped by 8%. The crime rate in the capital region has been showing a steady decline in recent years.
Read more: Crime rate in Reykjavík drops, fewer thefts than at any time since 1999
According to the recently released 2017 crime statistics report (pdf) of the National Police Commissioner there was a 6% increase in the number of reported crimes last year, compared to the 2014-16 average. This increase was due to a 25% increase in the number of invasions of privacy, primarily due to reports of threats but reports of illegal entry or break-ins where nothing was reported stolen also saw an increase. Other types of crimes which saw an increase last year were failures to obey police instructions which increased by 20%.
Read more: Most Icelanders feel safe walking alone at night in their communities
Cases of online embezzlement also increased, while the number of theft and robberies dropped. The number of break-ins (total: 1,060) dropped by 8% compared to the three year average. The number of thefts (total: 3,725) increased by 3%: The number of physical assaults is virtually unchanged, while the number of aggravated assaults drops from 148 to 131 reported cases.
More visible officers needed
More resources are needed to ensure the safety of people and to make Reykjavík an even safer place for inhabitants and visitors alike, the Metropolitan Police argues. Officers warn that the police force is understaffed, leading to excessive stress and pressure on the men and women in uniform.
More uniformed officers and patrol cars on the streets are also important as a deterrent, the Police argues. Police and MPs have therefore called for extra funding to hire new officers.
Read more: Police, MPs call for more visible policing, more officers on the streets of Reykjavík
3 murders in 2017
The most dramatic increase in the crime statistics is found under the headings of homicides and attempted murders. A total of three people were killed in 2017, and in addition Police investigated eight attempted murders, more than at any time since the 2001, when the Police began collecting statistics on attempted murders.
Violent crime is extremely rare in Iceland. In 2016 only one murder was reported and six attempted murders.
Read more about the tragic disappearance and murder of 20 yo Birna Brjánsdóttir by Greenlandic sailor in January:
Read more: Thomas Møller Olsen sentenced to 19 years in prison for murder of Birna Brjánsdóttir, drug smuggling
Read more about the second murder in 2017. A 39 yo local man was killed in a confrontation between different elements of the Reykjavík criminal underworld.
Read more: Iceland's second murder this year: Police arrests 6 people for Reykjavík underworld murder
In September a 44 yo Latvian woman was killed by a Yemeni asulum seeker who had been stalking her.
Read more: Yemeni refugee sentenced to 16 years in prison for 2017 murder of Latvian woman
The crime rate in Iceland increased last year, driven primarily by an increase in invasions of privacy and illegal entry, as well as arrests due to failure to obey or respect police officers. The number of thefts and burglaries dropped by 8%. The crime rate in the capital region has been showing a steady decline in recent years.
Read more: Crime rate in Reykjavík drops, fewer thefts than at any time since 1999
According to the recently released 2017 crime statistics report (pdf) of the National Police Commissioner there was a 6% increase in the number of reported crimes last year, compared to the 2014-16 average. This increase was due to a 25% increase in the number of invasions of privacy, primarily due to reports of threats but reports of illegal entry or break-ins where nothing was reported stolen also saw an increase. Other types of crimes which saw an increase last year were failures to obey police instructions which increased by 20%.
Read more: Most Icelanders feel safe walking alone at night in their communities
Cases of online embezzlement also increased, while the number of theft and robberies dropped. The number of break-ins (total: 1,060) dropped by 8% compared to the three year average. The number of thefts (total: 3,725) increased by 3%: The number of physical assaults is virtually unchanged, while the number of aggravated assaults drops from 148 to 131 reported cases.
More visible officers needed
More resources are needed to ensure the safety of people and to make Reykjavík an even safer place for inhabitants and visitors alike, the Metropolitan Police argues. Officers warn that the police force is understaffed, leading to excessive stress and pressure on the men and women in uniform.
More uniformed officers and patrol cars on the streets are also important as a deterrent, the Police argues. Police and MPs have therefore called for extra funding to hire new officers.
Read more: Police, MPs call for more visible policing, more officers on the streets of Reykjavík
3 murders in 2017
The most dramatic increase in the crime statistics is found under the headings of homicides and attempted murders. A total of three people were killed in 2017, and in addition Police investigated eight attempted murders, more than at any time since the 2001, when the Police began collecting statistics on attempted murders.
Violent crime is extremely rare in Iceland. In 2016 only one murder was reported and six attempted murders.
Read more about the tragic disappearance and murder of 20 yo Birna Brjánsdóttir by Greenlandic sailor in January:
Read more: Thomas Møller Olsen sentenced to 19 years in prison for murder of Birna Brjánsdóttir, drug smuggling
Read more about the second murder in 2017. A 39 yo local man was killed in a confrontation between different elements of the Reykjavík criminal underworld.
Read more: Iceland's second murder this year: Police arrests 6 people for Reykjavík underworld murder
In September a 44 yo Latvian woman was killed by a Yemeni asulum seeker who had been stalking her.
Read more: Yemeni refugee sentenced to 16 years in prison for 2017 murder of Latvian woman
