Lithuanian police report a 9% decrease in registered criminal offenses in the past year, primarily due to a reduction in thefts and domestic violence incidents.
During a press conference, Lithuanian Police Chief ArΕ«nas Paulauskas announced that the number of registered criminal offenses last year exceeded 40,000, but saw a 9% decrease compared to the previous year. He described the overall crime situation as stable. The statistics revealed that thefts were the most prevalent crime, accounting for 22.8% of registered offenses, followed by domestic violence at 14.7% and fraud at 11%. The data also highlighted a concerning trend with 8.6% of all registered crimes involving drivers operating vehicles under the influence, with blood alcohol levels exceeding 1.5 promille. Additionally, 8.1% of recorded crimes pertained to illegal drug possession without intent to distribute, indicating ongoing issues with substance abuse in the population. The significant reduction in crime rates can be seen as a positive development for the Lithuanian police, suggesting effective law enforcement strategies. However, the persistence of certain crimes, especially theft and domestic violence, remains a focal point for future policing efforts to ensure community safety and address underlying societal issues.
