Report on the Security Situation in the Czech Republic in 1999
(in comparison with 1998)

Contents

2.5. Crimes against property

The number of ascertained crimes against property decreased slightly, however the number of cleared up crimes as well as the total detection rate stagnated. There was a moderate reduction in burglary accounting for 28 % of crimes against property. The decline of the number of ascertained common thefts was recorded as well, accounting for 60 %.

The development in a number of ascertained property crimes committed in the CR from 1993 to 1999 and development changes by years.
  1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Ascertained property crimes 327,183 300,352 289,002 301,727 304,039 314,249 306,351
Percentage change 13.98 -8.20 -3.78 4.40 0.77 3.36 -2.51

 

The number of ascertained crimes against property in the regions of the Czech Republic in 1999 and development changes by years.
  Prague CBR SBR NBR WBR EBR SMR NMR CR
Ascertained property crimes 98,420 36,087 12,924 20,260 34,335 18,342 39,491 46,486 306,351
Percentage change in comparison with 1998 3.86 -2.44 -6.01 -2.70 -7.91 -3.21 -2.53 -9.15 -2.51

The majority of crimes ascertained against property were typically committed in the territory of Prague (nearly twofold compared to the second most affected region - North Moravia, where the crimes against property significantly decreased). Prague was also the only region where the number of the crimes against property increased.

There has been a sustained downward trend of the number of flat burglaries ascertained since 1994. This reduction has been affected by preventative measures and increasing protection of property by citizens. However, development was accompanied by stagnation in the number of offences cleared up.

The number of ascertained burglaries in the regions of the Czech Republic and development by years
  Prague CBR SBR NBR WBR EBR SMR NMR CR
Ascertained burglaries 17,621 15,597 4,139 6,549 10,826 6,022 10,483 14,754 85,631
Percentage change in comparison with 1998 3.88 -8.06 -9.31 -8.21 -10.53 -7.04 -8.14 -11.97 -6.95
Of which:
Burglaries - flats 4,219 1,286 347 757 1,705 662 1,583 1,886 12,445
Percentage change in comparison with 1998 13.05 -10.26 -13.03 -7.46 -11.93 -1.19 -1.92 -12.28 -2.41
Burglaries - weekend houses and cottages 850 4,423 974 1,497 1,914 1,464 2,130 1,533 14,785
Percentage change in comparison with 1998 22.30 -11.73 -15.60 -5.61 -12.56 -13.48 -14.46 -10.61 -10.57

There has been a sustained downward trend, stagnating respectively, of the number of flat burglaries ascertained (except for Prague, which is the only region where the rising trend was recorded). Most often burglars have remained interested in cash, jewellery, antiquities and electronic appliances. Weapons are also of significant interest to offenders. This trend is documented by a high increase in damage ascertained (+CZK 81,349 thousand). More and more this crime type shows the signs of organised crime where criminal groups have a steady hierarchy from the persons who tip off the places to the persons who sell the stolen things. The sale of stolen things is often performed through second hand shops and pawnshops. The articles of art are frequently stolen to the order of a foreign customer. The ways to get into flats and family houses are very different. In 1999, the police, who cased the damage, detected a group of Yugoslav burglars in family houses. Their damages amounted to CZK 40 million.

The decline in the number of ascertained break-ins into weekend houses and cottages also continued. The structure of offenders has not changed, coming largely from the ranks of repeated offenders who steal things mainly for their personal use. A further group of thieves is interested in valuables and antique furniture committing such crimes largely “to order”.

41,339 (-2,986, -6.7 %) burglaries and break-ins in other buildings were recorded. This number is affected by the poor security of such buildings. Recently, more and more thieves have concentrated on so called “blitz break-ins”. (They steal the most valuable things from a shop window and disappear in a few seconds). In 1999, the police recorded more thefts from safes. These were usually tipped-off thefts. Another kind of crime against property is post office burglary, with 46 (-10) offences recorded. (For hold ups of post offices and post staff - see The Crimes of Violence).

The decline in the number of common thefts recorded by the police was, on the other hand, accompanied by stagnation in the number of offences cleared up. The slight decline in the number of thefts from cars and car thefts was also recorded by the police.

The number of ascertained common thefts in the regions of the Czech Republic and development by years
  Prague CBR SBR NBR WBR EBR SMR NMR CR
Ascertained common thefts 65,175 16,821 7,423 11,639 21,104 10,780 23,955 27,444 184,341
Percentage change in comparison with 1998 1.04 0.93 -7.06 -3.05 -7.76 0.16 -2.85 -9.80 -2.94
Of which:
Car thefts 10,420 2,753 735 1,895 4,483 1,141 3,137 2,528 27,092
Percentage change in comparison with 1998 6.70 5.64 -6.84 6.46 -6.29 -0.09 -19.77 -18.77 -2.86
Thefts from cars 27,797 5,032 1,112 3,622 7,244 2,396 8,819 11,038 67,060
Percentage change in comparison with 1998 -1.54 -4.97 7.75 -2.56 -12.17 3.28 8.05 -10.27 -1.46

A slight reduction in the number of stolen cars is, on the other hand, accompanied by a rise of damage (+CZK 960,734 thousand). The police found in total 8,080 motor vehicles, the value of which was CZK 35,309 thousand. The offenders were both Czech citizens and foreigners. Stolen vehicles are transported abroad or, after getting required documents (foreign certificate of roadworthiness, purchase agreements, customs clearance, etc.), are registered in the Czech Republic. The offenders try to get a vehicle with original keys and genuine documents. There was an increasing incidence of insurance frauds, with estimates of which about one third of the thefts of vehicles (usually owned by leasing companies) could have been considered frauds. According to the police' records there was a lower number of stolen bicycles. The number of pickpocket offences has not changed in the Czech Republic. It should however, be taken into account that the data relating to pickpockets are latent.

In terms of cultural heritage25) mainly religious objects are attacked. There has not been a change either in the way such crimes are committed or in the things offenders are interested in. Such offences are to a large extent serial and well organised (especially in Central Bohemia, North Bohemia and East Bohemia). The offenders are mainly interested in articles of art - sculptures (41 %), paintings (24 %), liturgical articles (8.8 %), arms, china and comprehensive collections of articles. Customs officers permanently detect the attempts to smuggle mainly Orthodox icons from the countries of the former Soviet union. The police recorded the increase of thefts in cemeteries. The assumption that thieves concentrate on valuable movables (in chateaux, castles, museums, and galleries) has been confirmed. The cases when the staff of the above mentioned institutions helped in such thefts were recorded (pilferage of movables from Bílina chateaux, thefts of displays in the Naprstek Museum in Prague). Targeted selection things to be stolen has been proven especially by the growth of damage claims. In total, 116 (+13 crimes) thefts were ascertained in buildings with antiquities and works of art, with damage amounting to CZK 19,752 thousand (+CZK 9,865 thousand). There were 479 (+96 crimes) burglaries in buildings containing antiquities and articles of art with damage of CZK 346 thousand (CZK +13,148 thousand). There is inestimable damage from the illegal export of archive documents and rare prints. The police are getting more information on plundering archaeological spots. Such offences are also very well organised.

The number of frauds (16,528 crimes) under crimes against property increased (+20.1 %, +2,767 crimes).

26,990 (43.1%) persons were lawfully sentenced for crimes against property (Sec. 247, 248, 250, and 251 of the Criminal Code), which means the growth by 4,052 persons.

2. Crime, Development in Individual Kinds of Crime and Security Risks

2.1. Crime by Regions. Regional Variations
2.2. Misdemeanours
2.3. Offenders
2.3.1. The Crimes of Repeat Offenders
2.3.2. Crimes Committed by Foreigners
2.3.3. Crimes Committed on Youth and by Youth
2.3.4. Crimes Committed by Members of the Czech police, Czech Army, Employees of the Customs Administration and Members and Civilian Staff of the Czech Prison Service
2.4. Victims of Crimes
2.4.1. Information on Victims of Crimes
2.4.2. Information Gathered from the Research of Security Feeling and Attitude of People to Security Risks
2.5. Crimes against property
2.6. Economic Crime, Corruption
2.7. Crimes of Violence
2.8. Crimes against Human Dignity (Moral Crimes)
2.9. Breach of Public Order and Hooliganism, Street Crime
2.10. Crimes Committed on Railways
2.11. Crimes Having Extremist Nature
2.12. Protection of Official Secrets
2.13. Illegal Migration
2.14. Organised Crime
2.15. Terrorism
2.16. Illegal trade in Arms and Explosives
2.17. People Trafficking
2.18. Forgery
2.19. Drugs
2.20. Road Safety
2.21. Searches for Persons and Articles
2.22. Communist Crime Investigation

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