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

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South Bohemia

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

11,345
700,685
7.25
62


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 19,188 10,288 53.6 20,927 11,697 55.9 20,936 12,376 59.1
Development changes +1,015 +533 -0.1 +1,739 +1,409 2.3 +9 +679 +3.2
Violent crimes 1,407 1,296 92.1 1,456 1,327 91.1 1,428 1,305 91.4
Murders 5 5 100.0 8 8 100.0 13 12 92.3
Robberies 131 77 58.8 97 44 45.4 133 84 63.2
Moral crimes 139 133 95.7 171 165 96.5 169 167 98.8
Rape 37 32 86.5 30 26 86.7 47 46 97.9
Crimes against property 13,116 4,475 34.1 13,751 4,835 65.2 12,924 4,711 36.5
Total burglaries 4,358 1,418 32.5 4,564 1,483 32.5 4,139 1,383 33.4
Burglaries to flats 341 175 51.3 399 178 44.6 347 159 45.8
Burglaries to weekend houses 1,067 350 32.8 1,154 396 34.3 974 290 29.8
Common thefts 7,675 2,358 30.7 7,987 2,615 32.7 7,423 2,426 32.7
Pickpockets 243 33 13.6 237 24 10.1 195 25 12.8
Car thefts 946 371 39.2 789 373 47.3 735 361 49.1
Thefts from cars 957 175 18.3 1,032 232 22.5 1,112 208 18.7
Bicycle thefts 1,519 346 22.8 1,490 285 19.1 1,201 275 22.9
Economic crimes 1,863 1,813 97.3 2,351 2,249 95.7 3,303 3,175 96.1
Embezzlement 600 599 99.8 470 465 98.9 500 495 99.0
Fraud 772 762 98.7 917 911 99.3 1,829 1,821 99.6

Crime in South Bohemia in 1999
Total crime 20,936 (-0%)
Crime per 10,000 inhabitants 299  
Number of crimes cleared up 12,376 (+5.8%)
Average detection rate (%) 59.1% (+3.2%)

Crime in districts
The highest number of crimes České Budějovice 6,898
  Tábor 2,913
The highest number of crimes /10,000 inhabitants České Budějovice 387
  Český Krumlov 309
The lowest number of crimes Pelhřimov 1,376
  Prachatice 1,397
The highest increase in crimes (%) Strakonice +5.2%
  Tábor +3.2%
The highest decrease in crimes (%) Český Krumlov -10.4%

The security situation in South Bohemia can be evaluated as stable. 20,936 crimes (+0.04 %) were ascertained. In comparison with other regions, it constantly has the lowest number of crimes in the Czech republic. The permanent increase of crimes cleared up is positive and it has reached 12,376 (+5.8%). The detection rate is 59.1% (+3.2%), which means the highest increase in the past year. And this detection rate is constantly the highest in the Czech Republic.

The České Budějovice district shows the largest number of crimes – 6,898 (32%), followed by the Tábor district with 2,913 crimes (14%). The lowest number of crimes reported is from the Pelhřimov district – 1,376 crimes and the Prachatice district – 1,397 crimes (in both districts it represents a proportion of 7%). The highest percentage increase was recorded in the Strakonice district (+5.2 %). On the other hand, the highest percentage decrease was recorded in the Český Krumlov district (–10.4%). In terms of crime per 10 thousand inhabitants, the districts of České Budějovice (387 crimes) and Strakonice (309 crimes) are considered to be the most risky ones. The lowest number of crimes per 10 thousand inhabitants is reported from Pelhřimov district (186 crimes).

In terms of total crimes, the crimes against property account for 61.7% (-4%), violent crimes 6.8% (-1.2%), moral crimes 0.8% (the same figure as in 1998), economic crimes 15.8% (+ 4.6%), other crimes 14.9% (-0.4%).

The damage ascertained reached, in 1999, the amount of CZK 1,593,317 thousand, which represent an increase in comparison with 1998 by CZK 423,308 thousand (+36.2%). The large proportion of damage claims is caused by economic crimes - CZK 1,261,163 thousand, an increase of CZK 512,614 thousand compared to 1998. The proportion of economic crimes to total damage is 79.2%.

Criminal Factors in the Region (perceived by the Czech Police of South Bohemia)

As in 1998 the security situation in South Bohemia was affected, apart from general criminal factors, by several specific ones:

Misdemeanours

Uniformed and railway police detected in 1999 a total number of 58,795 misdemeanours which means a slight increase compared with 1998 (+0.9%). Most misdemeanours relate to road safety and fast-moving traffic (39,477) which accounted for 67.1% of all misdemeanours ascertained by uniform and railway police. Another obvious group is formed by misdemeanours against property (9,776). A moderate downward trend continued for misdemeanours against public peace (5,360). The number of misdemeanours in drug and alcohol addiction gradually increased (1,110). 70% of ascertained misdemeanours were solved by a fine; 13% of these offences were reported to the administration bodies and 17% of the misdemeanours were legally suspended.

The traffic police ascertained a total number of 95,348 (+6,645) misdemeanours, out of which 31,197 were exceeding the speed limit. The immigration and border police recorded 11,378 misdemeanours.

Crime Offenders

In 1999, 8.983 persons in the region were investigated and prosecuted, 41 persons more than in 1998.

Repeat offenders accounted for a proportion of 34.4% (-2.6 %), i.e. 4,263 crimes (-213 crimes). The danger of their activities is projected in the most serious crimes. Their proportion in violent crimes was 27.7 %, out of which murders accounted for 33.3 %, robberies 58.3 % and rapes 37 %. Their proportion in burglaries was 58.5 %.

Foreigners committed 522 (-95) crimes which accounted for 4.1% (-1%) of the total crimes detected. 413 (-32) persons were prosecuted. i.e. 4.6 % (-0.4%) of the total number of prosecuted persons.

Migration

In 1999, an upward trend in illegal migration continued, mainly on the border with Austria. 739 cases and 2,315 persons (+114 cases, +715 persons) illegally crossing the national border in South Bohemia were investigated. A number of persons transferred on the basis of ”The Agreement of Transferring the Persons at the National Border with Austria” increased. The immigration police in South Bohemia were correspondingly overloaded.

After being documented, 53 persons (+8), who were found to be illegal people trafficking were investigated. 47 of them were Czech citizens.

To solve cross-borders issues, the regular exchange of information and co-operation with Austrian and German police has showed positive results especially in the field of prostitution, trading in weapons and organised illegal borders-crossings.

Drugs

In 1999, 467 (-14) cases relating to narcotic and psychotropic substances were investigated. Those were mainly offences according to Sec. 187 of the Criminal Code – unauthorised production and possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances and poisons – where 434 offences (-7) were recorded. 16 cases were recorded according to the Sec. 187a of the Criminal Code - possession of a narcotic or psychotropic substance in a quantity greater than small.

The information available shows that the age of consumers as well as drug dealers is getting lower. The distribution of drugs was recorded at primary schools, mainly in the České Budějovice and Jindřichův Hradec districts. Marijuana and pervitin are especially available for a reasonable price. The increase of similar cases was recorded also in military service.

With international assistance, the police in the Prachatice district detected a case of an long-term sale of pervitin, heroin and ecstasy that was organised by a Vietnamese community living mainly in Germany.

Crime of an Extremist Nature

In the field of extremism we can say that the level of crime in 1999 is comparable to the level in the previous year when the police investigate 40 such cases. The highest number of such crimes was recorded in the České Budějovice and Písek districts. The lowest number of extremist crimes was ascertained in the Jindřichův Hradec, Pelhřimov, and Prachatice districts. One case showing brutal features happened in České Budějovice where participants of a Roma celebration in the Modrá Hvězda restaurant were attacked. Currently, 24 skinheads are being prosecuted.

Football and ice hockey matches are considered to be more risky in terms of crowd violence, therefore security measures are always taken. The public peace was not considerably disturbed.

The co-operation between criminal police with uniformed and railway police, the Czech Intelligence Office in České Budějovice, and the police from neighbouring countries – Austria and Germany- should be evaluated positively.

Crime Activity by Juveniles

In 1999, youths committed a total number of 1,746 offences cleared up (+70 offences) which accounted for 8.4% (+0.4 %) of total crime. The proportion of juveniles was 5.1% and the proportion of children 3.3%. Young people committed crimes in all crime categories with crimes against property prevailing where the proportion of youths exceeded 10.5%. Crimes committed by young people are more qualified.

Crimes Against Property

In 1999, 12,924 crimes against property (-6%) were ascertained which is 6% less than in the previous year. The detection rate was 36.5% (+1,3) and it means a second rank for South Bohemia within the Czech Republic. The proportion of crimes against property in total crime was 61.7%, which means the decline by 4% in comparison with 1998.

Crimes against property decreased in a majority of the district of South Bohemia. The highest decreases were recorded in the Český Krumlov (-18.7%) and Písek (-8.2%) districts. On the other hand there was an increase in the Pelhřimov (+12,1%) district. A number of burglaries reached 4,139 (-3.1%), which accounted for 32% of total crimes against property. In comparison with the previous year, a number of burglaries to flats decreased by 13% and the same applies to a number of burglaries to recreational facilities – a decline by 15.6%. The damage claims reached CZK 284,726 thousand, and in comparison to 1998, declined by CZK 72,500 thousand.

In South Bohemia, 735 (-34) car thefts were ascertained with a detection rate of 49.1% (+1.8%). The damage reached CZK 54 million (-26 million). A number of thefts from cars reached 1,112 (+80) cases with a detection rate of 18.7 %. The damage claims reached in those cases CZK 20 million (-2 million).

A decline of bicycle thefts (-19.4%) and pickpockets (-17.7%). was recorded.

Within the measures adopted to restrict crimes against property – burglaries to cultural and church premises – the police continued to work with the Bishopric of České Budějovice and the Historical Monuments Care Institution on a survey and projects to secure the churches with an electronic security system. The projects were subsidised by the state.

Economic Crimes

In comparison with 1998 the number of economic crimes ascertained increased in 1999 by 40.5% (+952 crimes.) and their proportion of 3,303 crime of total crimes was 15.8% (+4.6%).

The number of economic crimes increased in all districts, but mainly in the České Budějovice (+78.3%), Tábor (+55%), and Písek (+49.5%) districts.

The number of frauds increased by 100% with 1,829 (+912) crimes recorded accounting for the largest proportion of economic crimes. The damage caused by frauds exceeded 68% of total damage caused by economic crimes. The frauds between customers and suppliers prevailed (purchases on invoices). The high damage recorded was caused by bank and other finance frauds (credit frauds), especially credits provided to entrepreneurs on the basis of fake business plans, forged documents, and overvalued collateral. The bank staff are sometimes involved.

Embezzlement accounts for a large proportion of detected economic crimes. 500 of such cases were ascertained (+6.4%). Crimes of this kind are committed mainly through evasion of sale and unauthorised sale of another’s goods.

As for corruption in 1999, the majority of crimes of this kind related to the issue of abuse of power by a public official (Sec.158 of the Criminal Code) – breaches of the duty to administer another’s property and breaches of mandatory rules in economic relations. 4 offences of bribe-giving (Sec. 161 of the Criminal Code) and bribe-taking (Sec. 160 of the Criminal Code) were also recorded.

Evasion of direct and indirect taxes upsets the country’s economic stability and displays a high latency. A total number of 81 crimes (+14) were recorded with the damage exceeding CZK 115 million. The following kinds of crime prevail: curtailment of taxes relating to the production, transportation, export and distribution of spirits and cigarettes, fake purchases, sale and export of goods and attempts to decrease the customs value of imported goods.

The Czech police recorded increases for offences of failure to transfer taxes and statutory social and health insurance contributions - 149 (+ 89) offences with the damage exceeding CZK 22 million (+9 million).

Crime in intellectual property, which includes information technology crime, infringement of rights relating to trademarks, commercial names and protected designations of origin, infringement of copyright and industrial rights, begs for attention. 75 (+5) offences of infringement of rights relating to trademarks, commercial names and protected designations of origin were ascertained according to Sec. 150 of the Criminal Code. Such crimes are usually detected in connection with sales at market stalls. 55 (+31) cases of copyright infringement according to Sec. 152 of the Criminal Code were detected.

The damage caused by economic crimes reached CZK 1,261,163 thousand and, in comparison with 1998, increased by CZK 512,614 thousand. The proportion of damage claims caused by economic crimes in the damage cased by total crime is almost 80%. The high damage is caused mainly by frauds in banks and financial institutions.

Violent Crimes

Violent crimes with 1,428 offences showed, compared with 1998, a decline by 1.9% with a detection rate of 91.4% (+0.3%), which ranks South Bohemia second in the Czech Republic. The proportion of violent crimes of total crimes is 6.8%, which represents a decrease in comparison with 1998 by 1.2%.

In the majority of districts of South Bohemia there was a decrease in violent crimes ascertained. The largest decline were recorded in the Jindřichův Hradec (-12,1%) a Prachatice (-11,5%) districts. However, an increase of such crimes was recorded in the Starakonice district (+23,6%). 13 (+5) murders and other seriously violent crimes were detected in the territory of South Bohemia, with 12 of them (92,3%) being cleared up. In the majority of the cases, a murder was motivated by family disputes and the desire to gain money. A murder on order was not recorded in the region.

In 1999, there were 133 robberies ascertained increasing by 37.1%. The damage caused by robberies reached CZK 8,300 thousand. The object of the offenders’ interest did not change with attempts to gain money. Street robberies were the most frequent ones (85%). The number of bank robberies rose from 18 to 21 cases. Of the 104 prosecuted persons in 1999, 41 were repeat offenders accounting for 40 %. An increasing number of robberies committed with the use of fire arms is negative (in 1997 – 11 cases, in 1998 – 21 cases and in 1999 – 23 cases).

The most frequent violent crime, with 456 (-18,6 % offences), remains malicious bodily harm.

Moral Crimes

Moral crimes, with 169 offences, represented 0.8 % of the total crime. In comparison with 1998, there was a decrease by 2 offences. The detection rate was 98.8%, ranking South Bohemia first in the Czech Republic.

Sexual abuse was the most frequent moral crime (88), followed by rape (47) and pandering (17).


Road Safety

In 1999, there were 16,409 traffic accidents, increasing by 7.3% compared with 1998.

132 persons (+17) were killed. 527 persons (+10) received serious injuries, and 2,389 persons (-147) received light injuries. Material damage caused by traffic accidents reached CZK 454.7 million, which accounts for an increase of 2.1%.

Bad driving (56.4%), excessive speeds (17.2%), not giving priority (13,7%), incorrect taking over (2.6%) and alcohol (4.4%) remain the main causes for accidents. Motor vehicle drivers caused 14,752 (89.9%) traffic accidents.

To influence the traffic situation in South Bohemia, the police carried out, apart from other things, 185 road safety actions.

South Bohemia – crime development in 1998 and 1999 and the change of development in percentage
  1998 1999 +/- change in %
Total crime ascertained 20,927 20,936 0.0
Crimes cleared up 11,697 12,376 5.8
which accounts for (%) 55.9 59.1 -
Total damage ascertained (in thousands of CZK) 1,170,009 1,593,317 36.2
Secured damage (in thousands of CZK) 23,449 11,192 -52.3
Common crimes 16,883 16,000 -5.2
Crimes cleared up 7,799 7,629 -2.2
which accounts for (%) 46.2 47.7 -
Violent crimes 1,456 1,428 -1.9
Crimes cleared up 1,327 1,305 -1.7
which accounts for (%) 91.1 91.4 -
Of which: Robberies 97 133 37.1
                   Murders 8 13 62.5
                   Intentional injury to health 560 456 -18.6
                   Dangerous threats 302 319 5.6
                   Extortion 129 134 3.9
Moral crime 171 169 -1.2
Crimes cleared up 165 167 1.2
which accounts for (%) 96.5 98.8 -
Of which: Rape 30 47 56.7
                   Procurement (pandering) 17 17 0.0
Crimes against property 13,751 12,924 -6.0
Crimes cleared up 4,835 4,711 -2.6
which accounts for (%) 35.2 36.5 -
Burglaries 4,564 4,139 -9.3
Crimes cleared up 1,483 1,383 -6.7
which accounts for (%) 32.5 33.4 -
Of which: to shops 434 294 -92.3
                   to flats 399 347 -13.0
                   to weekend houses 1,154 974 -15.6
Common thefts 7,987 7,423 -7.1
Crimes cleared up 2,615 2,426 -7.2
which accounts for (%) 32.7 32.7 -
Of which: car theft 789 735 -6.86
                   thefts from cars 1,032 1,112 7.8
                   bicycles 1,490 1,201 -19.4
                   pickpockets 237 195 -17.7
Frauds 388 402 3.6
Other crime      
Rowdyism 187 145 -22.5
Unauthorised production and possession of psychotropic substances and poisons 441 452 2.5
Spreading drug addiction 40 15 -62.5
Frustrating execution of an official decision 544 555 2.0
Economic crime 2,351 3,303 40.5
Crimes cleared up 2,249 3,175 41.2
which accounts for (%) 95.7 96.1 -
Of which: Curtailment of taxes 67 81 20.9
                   Frauds 917 1,829 99.5
                   Embezzlement 470 500 6.4
                   Infringements of rights relating to trademarks 70 75 7.1
                   Infringement of copyright 24 55 129.2

South Bohemia– crime development in individual South 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 (%)
Č. Budějovice 6,801 2,795 382 41.1 6,898 3,276 387 47.5 1.4 17.2 6.4
Č. Krumlov 1,996 1,258 338 63.0 1,789 1,150 302 64.3 -10.4 -8.6 1.3
J. Hradec 2,482 1,741 264 70.1 2,334 1,663 249 71.3 -6.0 -4.5 1.1
Pelhřimov 1,350 873 182 64.7 1,376 878 186 63.8 1.9 0.6 -0.9
Písek 2,058 1,217 291 59.1 2,061 1,285 292 62.3 0.1 5.6 3.2
Prachatice 1,356 883 264 65.1 1,397 845 272 60.5 3.0 -4.3 -4.6
Strakonice 2,060 1,253 292 60.8 2,168 1,426 309 65.8 5.2 13.8 4.9
Tábor 2,824 1,677 274 59.4 2,913 1,853 282 63.6 3.2 10.5 4.2
Total 20,927 11,697 299 55.9 20,936 12,376 299 59.1 0.0 5.8 3.2


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