NCJ Number
86383
Date Published
1981
Length
255 pages
Annotation
Total 1981 crime statistics for Sweden are provided for these crime types: violent personal crimes, rape, robbery, burglary, auto theft, other theft, fraud, and vandalism. Separate statistics are given for drug and alcohol abuse.
Abstract
In addition, international comparisons are made between Sweden's crime rates and those for the other Scandinavian countries, the United States, West Germany, and Great Britain. Statistics show that the percentage of crimes cleared by police as compared to the number of crimes reported has substantially declined. This poor clearance rate is partly a result of citizens' declining likelihood to take an active part in preventive activities and in taking note of suspicious incidents. Violent crimes are down considerably and have been declining over the last two decades; theft is down slightly, but narcotics-related crimes are still a major problem. Fraud in such forms as passing bad checks, insurance fraud, fraudulent use of credit cards, and fraud involving hotels, restaurants, and transportation is increasing greatly. The report include discussion of each of the crimes, their rates, and possible factors influencing their incidence. A listing of 68 references in provided. Seven articles are appended. The first considers the growing phenomenon of computer crime, detailing the ways data can be falsely manipulated at several points within a system, computer criminals' modus operandi, and the differences between computer and traditional crime. Three articles focus on economic crime and recommend possible law reform to tighten enforcement of white-collar crime. One article researches crime and its factors in one Swedish commune, while another considers the impact of a new program based on the United States Operation Identification program. A final article reports on the Swedish Crime Prevention Council's support of independent research.