Vitoria (EFE) local policemen.
The rate of criminal offenses in the Basque Country in 2022 rose to 44.88 per thousand inhabitants, compared to 37.46 the previous year.
The largest number of crimes were against property, 73,758, which represents an increase of more than 22% compared to 2021. Among these crimes, the almost 29,000 thefts and the more than 20,000 frauds investigated by the Ertzaintza stand out.
Throughout last year there was a significant increase in injuries in the Basque Country, above 29%, with 8,198 cases. Inside are the 2,401 cases of abuse in the family, 31.7% more than in 2021 and 46.3% more than in 2019.
Sexual crimes increased 13%
As for crimes against sexual freedom, they increased by almost 13%, to 784. Sexual assaults rose by almost 83%, which is due to the legal disappearance of sexual abuse that becomes assault.
Drug trafficking crimes also increased by almost 18%, up to 548 cases and those committed against road safety for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, 1,605, 23% more.
Murders dropped from 11 in 2021 to 7 last year, 36.3% less, although attempted homicides rose to 63, 23% more than the previous year.
The increase in crime in the Basque Country also occurred on the internet with an increase of 25.1% compared to 2021 and almost 41% compared to 2019.
Of the 20,147 total breaches, 18,107 were scams, 26% more than a year earlier. Computer crimes against sexual freedom fell by 25%, to 43. Of these, the majority, 33, were for contacting children under 16 years of age for sexual purposes, 3% less.
The increase was greater in Álava
Where crime increased the most was in Álava, 22.7% more than in 2021 and 7.4% above 2019. In this territory the Basque Police acted in 13,619 criminal offences, which gave a crime rate of 40 .7 per 1,000 inhabitants.
In Bizkaia it increased 19.1% in year-on-year terms and 3.5% compared to 2019, reaching 57,288 crimes. In Gipuzkoa the increase was 18.6% and 15.4%, respectively, reaching 28,185 criminal offences. In these territories, the crime rate was 49.8 and 38.9, respectively.
As for the capitals, in Vitoria the Ertzaintza registered 10,423 crimes, 25% more than the previous year; in Bilbao 22,989, with the same percentage increase; and in San Sebastián 7,647, almost 12% more.
The crime rate was 41 per 1,000 residents of Vitoria; 66.8 in Bilbao and 40.7 in San Sebastián.