The Public Order and Internal Security Situation in the Regions of the Czech Republic in 1999

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Central Bohemia

Area  (km2):
Population:
Unemployment rate:
Density:

11,013
1,108,465
7.8
101


Development of crime in 1997 - 1999
Kind of crime 1997 1998 1999
  Crime Clr. up Det. rate (%) Crime Clr. up Det. rate (%) Crime Clr. up Det. rate (%)
Total crime 47,162 20,485 43.4 52,440 23,857 45.5 52,191 24,789 47.5
Development changes 3,715 +713 -2.1 +5,278 +3,372 2.1 -249 +932 +2.0
Violent crimes 2,448 1,997 81.6 2,402 2,008 83.6 2,468 2,056 83.3
Murders 43 37 86.0 45 37 82.2 34 27 79.4
Robberies 430 154 35.8 411 175 42.6 429 170 39.6
Moral crimes 188 174 92.6 402 376 93.5 371 351 94.6
Rape 67 59 88.1 53 41 77.4 83 74 89.2
Crimes against property 33,988 8,115 23.9 36,990 9,258 25.0 36,087 9,572 26.5
Total burglaries 16,357 3,232 19.8 16,964 3,543 20.9 15,597 3,320 21.3
Burglaries to flats 1,394 312 22.4 1,433 313 21.8 1,286 362 28.1
Burglaries to weekend houses 4,835 1,227 25.4 5,011 1,421 28.4 4,423 1,160 26.2
Common thefts 15,193 3,541 23.3 16,666 3,636 21.8 16,821 3,998 23.8
Pickpockets 208 34 16.3 260 67 25.8 252 18 7.1
Car thefts 2,765 596 21.6 2,606 422 16.2 2,753 504 18.3
Thefts from cars 4,697 616 13.1 5,295 626 11.8 5,032 563 11.2
Bicycle thefts 1,772 362 20.4 1,606 263 16.4 1,506 249 16.5
Economic crimes 4,980 4,925 98.9 5,477 5,341 97.5 7,068 6,846 96.9
Embezzlement 1,357 1,357 100.0 1,174 1,174 100.0 978 978 100.0
Fraud 2,438 2,437 100.0 2,572 2,571 100.0 2,819 2,812 99.8

Crime in Central Bohemia in 1999
Total crime 52,191 (-0.5%)
Crime per 10,000 inhabitants 471  
Number of crimes cleared up 24,789 (+3.9%)
Average detection rate (%) 47.5% (+2.0%)

Crime in districts
The highest number of crimes Ml. Boleslav 6,688
  Kladno 6,186
The highest number of crimes /10,000 inhabitants Praha - východ 636
  Mělník 623
The lowest number of crimes Rakovník 2,218
  Benešov 2,877
The highest increase in crimes (%) Ml. Boleslav +12.7%
  Příbram +4.7%
The highest decrease in crimes (%) Praha - západ -17.7%
  Kutná Hora -13.6%

In 1999 in comparison with 1998 the number of crimes decreased in Central Bohemia by 249 (-0.5%). The total number of 52,191 crimes were ascertained.. The number of crimes cleared up increased considerably by 932 (+3.9%), thus the detection rate reached 47.5%. In individual districts, the highest number of crimes was recorded in the Mladá Boleslav and Kladno districts. The detection rate in those districts is the lowest of all.

Crime Factors in the Region (perceived by the Czech police of Central Bohemia)

Several specific factors affect the security situation in Central Bohemia:

Migration

In 1999, the number of foreigners residing both legally and illegally in Central Bohemia increased. This trend is reflected in the number of sanctions according to the Act no. 123/92 Coll., Immigration Act, as amended (570 bans on residence, 27 administrative deportation, 2,016 sanctioned exit visa, and fines amounting to CZK 2,375,700). Mainly foreigners from the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, Vietnam, Romania, Poland and Bulgaria were affected.

Fugitives form a special category. Those persons cross the national borders of the Czech Republic illegally since they want to get to Western Europe. Their target country is usually Germany (471 fugitives). Central Bohemia is a transit region for the fugitives heading for Germany. Organisers of illegal border crossings are materially and technically well equipped and they remain anonymous for bodies responsible for penal proceedings as well as for the groups of illegal migrants. They are the members of the international network of offenders. In 1999, it was quite typical that fugitives were, in case of a slightest bit of suspicion that the Czech police could trace in them, unloaded from trucks and left in Central Bohemia. Fugitives also received instructions to seek asylum in the Czech Republic to avoid punishment for illegally crossing the borders and illegally staying in our country. Such asylum seekers were transported to a retaining camp established by the Ministry of Interior in Vyšní Lhoty with no regards to whether they had or did not have passports. Other attempts to cross the border to Germany was then organised form either a retaining camp or from a refugee camp. In several cases the fugitives were left in our territory and were informed they were in a target country, e.g. in Germany.

The following factors make the work of the Immigration Police more difficult:

Drugs

After the amendment of the provisions of the Criminal Code and Misdemeanour Code relating to the possession of drugs for personal use, we can see an effort by drug dealers towards conspiracy where they use mobile phones and regular mail for selling drugs. Mainly foreigners are involved in dealing narcotic and psychotropic substances. Marijuana and pervitin remain the most used drugs. The production of pervitin was found in the Benešov, Kladno, and Mladá Boleslav districts. There are also cases of the distribution of LSD and ECSTASY.

The detection of crimes relating to drugs distributing to juveniles co-operation among Ministries, anti-drug police departments, anti-drug committees, educational authorities and health facilities is very important.

Crime of an Extremist Nature

It is estimated that the number of skinhead movement supporters in the region is about 300 persons. The skinhead supporters hold concerts and marches especially in the district of Rakovník, where foreign skinhead supporters participate (supporters from Slovakia, Poland, Germany). The effort to form various civic associations and further co-operation and co-ordination are apparent. Their public meetings are better organised and their speeches are with lawyers’ consultation. The local organisation of the Patriotic Front has a seat in the Kladno district. The Patriotic League has a seat in the Brandýs nad Labem – Stará Boleslav in Praha – východ districts and the National Alliance was established in the Rakovník district.

In comparison with 1998 there was a rise in racially motivated crimes. The number of organised meetings and concerts of left-wing, as well as right-wing extremist movement supporters, was the same as in 1998 (i.e. 8 events).

Crimes Against Property

The number of crimes against property fell in 1999 by 2.4%, while the detection rate rose by 1.5%. The downward trends mainly involved burglaries (-8.1%). On the other hand, there was an increase in common theft, particularly car thefts (+5.6%).

The detection rate relating to burglaries to flats considerably increased – more by 6%. The largest number of burglaries to flats was recorded in the Příbram, Kladno and Mladá Boleslav districts. Almost all the flats were located in large housing estates. To get into flats, burglars usually smashed the door and broke the cylindrical lock in two.

55 cases of burglaries to the state authorities premises and to companies (thefts from vaults) were recorded in 1999. The total damage amounted to CZK 8.7 million. In the Czech Republic, offenders started using cutters to open vaults in municipal or district offices. 6 cases of such a crime were recorded in Central Bohemia. All of them were cleared up.

In the year monitored, a considerable increase in burglaries to cultural and church premises was recorded with damage reaching CZK 17 million. In comparison with the last year, the number of robbed churches rose by 50%, chapels, castles, chateaux and libraries by 100%. Thefts from cemeteries increased eight times. This fact is influenced by some factors: the premises are located in remote areas, there are not many persons and mainly there is an increasing interest in stone products as tombs, sculptures, etc. The highest number of burglaries to churches was recorded in the Rakovník, Kladno, Mìlník, and Mladá Boleslav districts. In this field, the Czech police of Central Bohemia co-operate with the Czech Police Headquarters, and the Czech police from North Bohemia and South Bohemia.

Common theft is mostly affected by car thefts, where a slight upwards trend can be seen. The detection rate in this field is permanently low and it is about 18%. The highest number of car thefts was recorded in the Kladno, Mladá Boleslav, and Mìlník districts, and the total damage claims exceed CZK 396 million. Car thefts and thefts from cars are more or less recorded in the whole region. Thieves tip-off specific places, especially parking places near supermarkets. Clear up the thefts of trucks transporting goods across our country to another country remains a problem. In many, cases such thefts are fake. In the year monitored 20 trucks transporting consumer goods and electronic appliances were stolen, and the damage in all cases exceeded CZK 1 million. In cases of leasing frauds, the staff of relevant leasing companies is presumed to be involved.

In comparison with 1998 robberies increased more than by 4%, with street robberies being the most frequent. Robberies are committed predominantly in the Kladno, Mělník, and Mladá Boleslav districts. The offenders are, on the basis of the descriptions given by victims, citizens of the former Soviet Union. Of the total number of robberies 1/3of them were committed under a threat and 2/3 under physical assaults. The number of foreign victims increased. 39 foreigners, mainly citizens of the former Soviet Union, were detected as offenders. Bank robberies continued; altogether there were 13 bank robberies, and 4 of them were cleared up. There were 38 petrol station robberies, and 8 of them were cleared up. In two cases, truck drivers were attacked and their transport of cigarettes and electronic appliances were stolen. In the first case the damage reached CZK 10 million, and CZK 8 million in the second case.

Economic Crimes

Economic crimes showed an upwards trend. In 1999 there were 1,591 more offences. However, the increase in crimes cleared up is also apparent; 1,505 more economic crimes were cleared up. The detection rate in this field reached 97%. On the basis of situation analysis, the highest number of economic crimes was recorded in the the Kladno, Kolín, Mělník, and Mladá Boleslav districts.

Frauds (pursuant to Sec. 250 of the Criminal Code) represent the largest proportion of economic crimes with 2,819 cases. The most frequent offences are: unauthorised withdrawals from giro accounts and violation of leasing agreements for consumer goods. Embezzlement, according to Sec. 248 of the Criminal Code, is another very frequent crime, followed by infringement of rights relating to trademarks, commercial names and copyright infringements in accordance with Sec. 150 of the Criminal Code, including software piracy.

Economic crimes detected in the whole territory of the regions can be divided into several groups:

According to the Central Bohemian police it would be appropriate, in fighting financial crimes, to revise the institution of secrecy releasing.

The criminal police also focus on the field of intellectual property rights, trademarks and copyrights, as well as software piracy. The security actions are carried out in co-operation with other institutions and certified representatives at the market places and in the distribution network.

Violent crimes

In 1998, 34 murders and homicidal attempts were recorded in Central Bohemia. 27 of them were cleared up. One murder was cleared up later. Of all motives, a murder for personal reasons prevailed (6 cases with subsequent suicide of a murderer), followed by murder and robbery. In one case there was a murder by order. Murderers were, in seven cases, foreigners. And 7 foreigners were murdered or there was a homicidal attempt. In all cases, they were citizens of Eastern Europe.

In 1999, cases of using booby traps increased in Central Bohemia. They were mainly explosion on the railway in direction to Prague near Cítov village in the Mělník district. The target was a train where an offender wanted to kill many people and caused high material damage. In another case, in Příbram, the explosion destroyed a car, in which a wife of a policeman working in Příbram Police Headquarters were injured. In the cases of fires, there were attempts of insurance fraud when offenders wanted to claim an indemnity sum or tried to destroy goods which they could not sell or at least wanted to deduct a claim from taxes.

Moral Crimes

Among moral crimes, there was an increase in rapes (+56.6%). However at the same time, their detection rate increased and reached 89.2%. In terms of prostitution there are clubs and other facilities providing sexual services for agreed fees.

A high number of sexual abuse has continued. This crime is usually committed in families. To detect and investigate such crimes is very difficult because victims can be easily influenced. Crimes of endangering morality are typically committed in relation to more serious moral crimes.

Road Safety

In 1999, there were 26,446 traffic accidents (+2,030) on the roads and highways of Central Bohemia., in which 228 persons (+50) were killed, 933  received serious injuries (+53) and 3,369 (-155) received light injuries. Material damage was estimated at CZK 943,200,000 (+51,500,000). Central Bohemia is, within the Czech Republic, 4th place as for the number of traffic accidents. The number of killed persons, and its increase, is the highest in the Czech Republic. The situation in the number of car accidents on highways has stabilised. 24 persons (-2) were killed.

Most accidents happened in municipalities – 14,248 (+674). 49 persons +6) were killed. The category of serious and light injuries also shows an upward trend. The impact of lowering the speed limit in municipalities was not seen in the year monitored (+44). Traffic accidents under the influence of alcohol show a positive trend. Although there was a slight increase (+23) the consequences were not so serious. In spite of that 1,104 (+23) drivers who drank alcohol before their journey were apprehended. 26 persons (-4) were killed in traffic accidents involving the influence of alcohol.

Traffic accidents and their consequences
Year No. of car accidents No. of people killed Serious injuries Light injuries Damage
1999 26,446 228 933 3,369 943,289,400
1998 24,416 178 880 3,524 891,763,400
1997 22,246 219 1,027 3,650 745,727,100
1996 22,603 223 955 3,647 671,907,500

Among preventative measures held by the traffic police of Central Bohemia 163 lectures for drivers, 89 lectures and discussion at schools, they published 373 articles, had 121 programmes on radio broadcasting, they published 38 TV shots, installed 98 displays with traffic topics and carried out 373 other preventative actions.

“Traffic Season 1999” which was to have a positive influence on road safety was adopted from the period from April to September 1999, aiming at preventative and educational activities and supervision of road and highway traffic. In the course 1999, the police carried out 155 road safety actions “X” using apart from other things electro-magnetic weights. Moreover, 149 road safety actions “Y” were carried out as well. At the same time there were some actions aiming to observe the international agreements, ADR and AETR.

Central Bohemia - crime development in 1998 and 1999 and the change of development in percentage
  1998 1999 +/- change in %
Total crime ascertained 52,440 52,191 -0.5
Crimes cleared up 23,857 24,789 3.9
which accounts for (%) 45.5 47.5 -
Total damage ascertained (in thousands of CZK) 3,456,710 3,307,891 -4.3
Secured damage (in thousands of CZK) 32,012 20,217 -36.8
Common crimes 43,319 41,671 -3.8
Crimes cleared up 15,079 14,658 -2.8
which accounts for (%) 34.8 35.2 -
Violent crimes 2,402 2,468 2.7
Crimes cleared up 2,008 2,056 2.4
which accounts for (%) 83.6 83.3 -
Of which: Robberies 411 429 4.4
                   Murders 45 34 -24.4
                   Intentional injury to health 561 572 2.0
                   Dangerous threats 277 231 -16.6
                   Extortion 529 527 -0.4
Moral crime 402 371 -7.7
Crimes cleared up 376 351 -6.6
which accounts for (%) 93.5 94.6 -
Of which: Rape 53 83 56.6
                   Procurement (pandering) 3 68 2,166.7
Crimes against property 36,990 36,087 -2.4
Crimes cleared up 9,258 9,572 3.4
which accounts for (%) 25.0 26.5 -
Burglaries 16,964 15,597 -8.1
Crimes cleared up 3,543 3,320 -6.3
which accounts for (%) 20.9 21.3 -
Of which: to shops 849 767 -9.7
                   to flats 1,433 1,286 -10.3
                   to weekend houses 5,011 4,423 -11.7
Common thefts 16,666 16,821 0.9
Crimes cleared up 3,636 3,998 10.0
which accounts for (%) 21.8 23.8 -
Of which: car theft 2,606 2,753 5.6
                   thefts from cars 5,295 5,032 -5.0
                   bicycles 1,606 1,506 -6.2
                   pickpockets 260 252 -3.1
Frauds 1,017 1,067 4.9
Other crime      
Rowdyism 386 389 0.8
Unauthorised production and possession of psychotropic substances and poisons 1,382 861 -37.7
Spreading drug addiction 138 119 -13.8
Frustrating execution of an official decision 834 831 -0.4
Economic crime 5,477 7,068 29.0
Crimes cleared up 5,341 6,846 28.2
which accounts for (%) 97.5 96.9 -
Of which: Curtailment of taxes 226 337 49.1
                   Frauds 2,572 2,819 9.6
                   Embezzlement 1,174 978 -16.7
                   Infringements of rights relating to trademarks 54 267 394.4
                   Infringement of copyright 293 644 119.8

Central Bohemia- crime development in individual Central Bohemian districts in 1998 - 1999
  1998 1999 Change
District Ascer. Clr. up Crime/
10 th. inh.
Det. rate % Ascer. Clr. up Crime/
10 th. inh.
Det. rate % Ascer. (%) Clr. up (%) Det. rat (%)
Benešov 2,815 1,344 317 47.7 2,877 1,521 324 52.9 2.2 13.2 5.1
Beroun 3,545 1,628 471 45,9 3,623 1,753 481 48.4 2.2 7.7 2.5
Kladno 6,044 2,355 403 39.0 6,186 2,541 411 41.1 2.3 7.9 2.1
Kolín 3,783 1,910 395 50.5 3,588 1,865 376 52.0 -5.2 -2.4 1.5
Kutná Hora 3,426 1,972 440 57.6 2,961 1,769 380 59.7 -13.6 -10.3 2.2
Mělník 5,684 2,725 599 47.9 5,912 3,010 623 50.9 4.0 10.5 3.0
Ml.Boleslav 5,933 2,224 529 37.5 6,688 2803 596 41.9 12.7 26.0 4.4
Nymburk 2,846 1,401 350 49.2 2,943 1,657 360 56.3 3.4 18.3 7.1
Praha - východ 5,729 2,471 621 43.1 5,900 2,560 636 43.4 3.0 3.6 0.3
Praha - západ 5,696 2,463 748 43.2 4,686 1,948 605 41.6 -17.7 -20.9 -1.7
Příbram 4,402 2,061 409 46.8 4,609 2,061 428 44.7 4.7 0.0 -2.1
Rakovník 2,537 1,303 471 51.4 2,218 1,301 411 58.7 -12.6 -0.2 7.3
Total 52,440 23,857 474 45.5 52,191 24,789 471 47.5 -0.5 3.9 2.0

 


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