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

The Capital City of Prague | Central Bohemia | South Bohemia | West Bohemia | North Bohemia | East Bohemia  | South Moravia

North Moravia

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

11,068
1,964,888
11.26
178


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 65,918 29,091 44.1 69,787 31,053 44.5 66,206 32,042 48.4
Development changes -1,999 -783 +0.1 +3,869 +1,962 +0.4 -3,581 +989 +3.9
Violent crimes 5,636 4,603 81.7 5,644 4,696 83.2 5,464 4,637 84.9
Murders 49 45 91.8 52 49 94.2 38 34 89.5
Robberies 877 463 52.8 786 406 51.7 797 441 55.3
Moral crimes 379 234 85.5 423 369 87.2 323 285 88.2
Rape 151 133 88.1 161 136 84.5 107 88 82.2
Crimes against property 48,717 13,951 28.6 51,166 14,604 28.5 46,486 13,982 30.1
Total burglaries 16,651 4,314 25.9 16,760 4,118 24.6 14,754 3,886 26.3
Burglaries to flats 2,070 665 32.1 2,150 531 24.7 1,886 558 29.6
Burglaries to weekend houses 1,564 584 37.3 1,715 621 36.2 1,533 477 31.1
Common thefts 28,568 7,803 27.3 30,427 8,326 27.4 27,444 7,909 28.8
Pickpockets 1,260 184 14.6 1,091 176 16.1 1,025 218 21.3
Car thefts 3,196 763 23.9 3,112 872 28.0 2,528 622 24.6
Thefts from cars 11,083 3,082 27.8 12,301 2,848 23.2 11,038 2,746 24.9
Bicycle thefts 3,944 551 14.0 3,776 610 16.2 3,029 529 17.5
Economic crimes 3,422 3,028 88.5 4,592 3,948 86.0 5,851 5,500 94.0
Embezzlement 722 713 98.8 838 829 98.9 1,038 1,033 99.5
Fraud 1,435 1,410 98.3 1,912 1,858 97.2 2,923 2,884 98.7

Crime in North Bohemia in 1999
Total crime 66,206 (-5.1 %)
Crime per 10,000 inhabitants 337  
Number of crimes cleared up 32,042 (+3.2 %)
Average detection rate (%) 48.8 % (+3.9 %)

Crime in districts
The highest number of crimes Ostrava 18,753
  Karviná 10,325
The highest number of crimes /10,000 inhabitants Ostrava 582
  Olomouc 382
The lowest number of crimes Jeseník 1,075
  Šumperk 2,357
The highest decrease in crimes (%) Jeseník -12.0 %
  Bruntál -11.6 %

In the light of the long-term development the year 1999 confirmed the stability of crimes at the level of 1994 – 1998 in North Moravia. 66,206 crimes recorded puts it in the second place in the Czech republic after the capital city of Prague and it means in comparison with 1998, there was a decline of 5.1% in crimes. 32,042 crimes cleared up is an increase of 987 cases (i.e. +3.18%) and the detection rate reached 48,4% of the total crime recorded (+3.9%).

Criminal Factors in the Region (in the view of the Czech Police of North Moravia)

The basic criminal factors are given by the territory of North Moravia and its location within the Czech Republic.

Misdemeanours

The uniformed and railway police recorded in North Moravia in 1999 a total number of 163,032 misdemeanours, which in comparison with 1998 means a decline of 6,554 misdemeanours, which accounts for 3.8%. The railway police handled 5,757 misdemeanours (+ 4,793 misdemeanours).

Of the number stated above, there were 29,082 misdemeanours against property (+7.2%), 22,912 misdemeanours against the public order (-3,8%), and 2,853 misdemeanours of alcohol and drug addiction (-8.3%). 103,931 (-6.4%) misdemeanours were solved by a fine with almost CZK 32 million collected. Most misdemeanours related to traffic issues – 103,634 (-4,6%).

The traffic police handled 134,880 misdemeanours (+3.9%) and lodged as sanctions 129,145 fines (+14.9%) at the total amount of CZK 63,299,600.

Offenders

The category of repeat offenders is a serious problem in terms of their proportion in total crime (41.0%) as well as from the point of view of ”qualified crimes”. In comparison with 1998 their proportion fell by 1.8%. They committed 13,141 of all crimes cleared up, which means a decline of 162 crimes.

This category of offenders experienced the highest increase in crimes that they commit most frequently, e.g. robberies (+15%), other thefts from persons (+55%), thefts of motor vehicle spare parts (+47%). In total, repeat offenders clearly dominate by their proportion of violent crimes (31,8%), moral crimes (40.7%), common theft (43%) and especially in burglaries with 64.3%. Taking into account the individual kinds of crime, they have the largest proportions in murders (27,0%), robberies (56.7%), dangerous threats (33,6%), rapes (44%), sexual abuse (27.6%) and trade in women (87.5%). They also posses a considerable proportion (46.6%) with the increase of +124% in unauthorised production and possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances and poisons and spreading addiction -25,7%. They dominate in burglaries to flats (65.2%), restaurants (71,4%), shops (68.4%) and burglaries to weekend houses (71,5%).

The category of economic crimes saw a marked rise where the proportion of repeat offenders is 32.6%, which means an increase of +38%. The highest increases were recorded in embezzlement (+41%), frauds (+53%), curtailment of taxes and social and health insurance (+350%). A new phenomenon is participation of repeat offenders in credit frauds, which increased from 1 case in 1999 to 23 cases in 1999 (+2,200%).

Foreigners committed, in the year monitored, 1,178 crimes (-287, i.e. -19.6%) and in the structure of criminal offenders they account for 3.7% (-1.0%). In 1999 (as in the last year) most cases were recorded in Karviná - 265 (-60) and in Ostrava 264 (+4). Foreigners’ crimes concentrated on the area of economic crimes with 217 crimes (+24), then on common thefts with 202 crimes (-74), and burglaries with 146 crimes (-141). Their proportion in violent crimes is not negligible either - 196 crimes (-42).

Evaluation of crimes committed under the influence of alcohol cannot be overlooked. Under the influence of alcohol 5,562 crimes were committed, however their proportion in total crimes committed relatively decreased by 2.6% to 8.0%.

The influence of alcohol was mostly apparent in violent crimes (1,123), the most serious being in murders where the proportion reached 44% and intentional injuries to health – 26%. Other crimes form another category (381 crimes), common thefts (324 crimes) and the rest of crimes (340 crimes).

Migration

A total number of 834 persons were apprehended while attempting to cross the national borders illegally. 340 of them originated from so-called third countries. Most persons investigated for illegal crossings of the national border were Czech and Polish citizens, followed by citizens of Afghanistan, Rumania and Vietnam. At the border with Slovakia these were mainly the citizens of the former Soviet Union. The illegal crossings of migrants are more thoroughly organised utilising the latest technical means.

The problem of an extraordinary serious situation at the border crossing Chotěbuz persists (the fifth year). Insufficient supervision from the side of Polish border police creates big problems on our side having a critical impact on the facilitating service of Karviná traffic police.

The police had to meet an extraordinary task in facilitating arrivals and later departures of the Albanians from Kosovo in middle of May 1999. Those persons were gradually accommodated in the refugee camp at Vyšní Lhoty and received a relevant residence permit. Their departure back to Kosovo was also facilitated by the police.

Drugs

A high latency, constantly better organisation, and difficulties proving and documenting crimes are typical for drugs. The decreasing age of consumers and increasing number of drug addicts are negative elements.

More policemen are now involved in these issues, experts are being trained and task force teams are being established (Ostrava –TOXI team). All these measures resulted in quite good overview of drug scene in North Moravia. The detection rate of spreading addiction is 100% and the detection rate of unauthorised production and possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances and poisons reached 98.2%. 225 (+69.2%) such crimes were recorded and 211 (+77) persons were prosecuted. Of them there were 82 repeat offenders (+110%) who committed 103 crimes of this kind (+124%). 105 cases (+275%) of spreading addiction were recorded with 45 (+27) persons prosecuted, out of which, 27 crimes were committed by repeat offenders and 40 cases were committed by youth (13 children and 27 juveniles). With the exception of the Bruntál district there was a growth of drug issues in all districts.

Anti-drug committees were established and worked in all districts. The members of the Czech police participated in their work.

Crimes of Extremist Nature

In North Bohemia the largest movement is a skinhead movement. The number of skinhead movement supporters is estimated to 900 followed by anarchists with a number of 120, Satanists – 20 and other about 150. The structure of extremist movement supporters’ age remains unchanged.

In the unified information system “OÈISTA” the police record currently 874 supporters of extremist movements with 750 skinheads, 67 anarchists and 52 other. The largest concentration of skinheads is in the Karviná and Ostrava districts, most crimes are reported from the Ostrava, Karviná, Opava, Bruntál, and Jeseník districts.

In 1999, the police recorded 28 racially motivated attacks against Roma, 1 against foreigners from former Yugoslavia, 1 against other persons (a person of African origin), 5 racially motivated attacks of Roma against people having white skin. Roma did not attack skinheads. Most racially motivated crimes were registered in the Karviná (13), Opava (5), and Jeseník (3) districts. There were two conflicts between skinheads and anarchists. Crimes of propagating fascism considerably increased – 14 (+7), most of them were recorded in the Karviná (6) and Opava (3) districts. The number of racially motivated misdemeanours increased as well - 15 (+8) and most of them were registered in the Karviná and Bruntál (5) districts. 73 offenders – 21 skinheads, 4 Roma and 41 other persons – were prosecuted for crimes showing extremist manifestations.

Criminal Activity by Juveniles

The proportion of children committed crimes cleared up increased in comparison with 1998 by +0.2% to 10.3%, in absolute numbers it means increase by 142 (+4.5%) crimes to 3,291. The crimes committed by juveniles saw continuous downward trend from10.4% in 1998 to 8.9% in 1999 (i.e. decline -1,5%), thus crimes fell by 395 crimes to 2,839.

Children - offenders account for a considerable proportion of common thefts (2,141 crimes, +102, i.e. +5%), burglaries (538 crimes) and violent crimes (276 crimes). The increasing number of violent crimes is dangerous - increasing by 69 crimes (+33.3%). A highly problematic indicator is the increasing number of robberies committed by children – increasing by 16 cases (+35.6%), which means that children committed 61 robberies. On the other hand burglaries saw a positive trend (-7%) with the decrease of burglaries to weekend houses by 65%.

Juvenile offenders committed 1,320 common thefts (-17%), 781 burglaries (-7%) and 290 violent crimes (-16%). A similar positive trend is reflected in the proportion of such offenders to total crime, the only increase is reported in the category other crimes, with an increase of 32% which consists mainly of spreading addiction, from 6 to 247 crimes (+350%).

Of children committed crimes, thefts from cars are the most frequent crimes with 57.1%, pickpocket offences with 45.9%, motorcycle thefts with 24%, burglaries to stalls 28%, burglaries to schools with 18.8% and burglaries to other buildings with 17.7%.

In spite of a general downward trend in the category of juvenile offenders 2 committed murders are a warning as well as 25% proportion in robberies. Otherwise this category shows declines in majority crimes cleared up – mainly car thefts, thefts from cars, bicycle thefts and burglaries to flats.

Crimes Against Property

It is still the category with the highest numbers of crimes. In the total crime in the region the number of 46,486 (-4,680, -9.1%) crimes against property accounts for 70.2%. 13,982 (-622) of them were cleared up with the detection rate of 30.1% (+2.7%).

Changes were registered in burglaries, decreasing by 12% (the districts of Ostrava, Olomouc, and Přerov are mostly involved), common thefts by 10% (the districts of Karviná, Ostrava, and Opava having the decisive share).

Burglaries to shop-windows decreased markedly (-38%), followed by burglaries to accommodation facilities (-26%), to stalls (-18%), to schools (-13%) and to flats (-12%). In the category of common thefts, there was decline in bicycle thefts (-20%), car and motorcycle thefts (-19%) and thefts from cars (-10%). The decisive share in those crimes is reported not only from the large districts of Ostrava, Frýdek-Místek and Olomouc, but also from the districts of Šumperk, Bruntál, and Přerov. Burglaries to shops, flats and weekend houses remain a big problem. The same applies to common thefts – mainly car thefts, bicycle thefts, burglaries to flats, thefts of car spare parts and especially thefts from cars. These are the issues that together with car theft more or less affect all districts. Burglaries to cellars, flats, weekend houses and bicycle thefts should be added as well.

Economic Crimes

In 1999, 5,851 economic crimes were ascertained, which accounts for the rise of 1,259 crimes (+27.4%). In Ostrava this increase reached even 67.7%. 5,500 (+1.393, i.e. +35.3%) crimes of all recorded crimes were cleared up with the detection rate of 94%. In 1999, the damage caused by economic crimes reached CZK 2.302.054 thousand. The police are currently working on ingeniously hidden frauds, embezzlements and curtailment of taxes where the number of cases as well damage are going up. In comparison with 1998 the structure of economic crimes changed. Embezzlement increased by 24% and frauds by 53%. Also the following crimes saw an increase: breaches of duty in administering another’s property (+60%), curtailment of taxes (+69%) and credit frauds (+218%). Credit frauds showed extraordinary rise of +1.150% and the crimes of failure to transfer taxes and statutory social and health insurance (+611%).

Violent Crimes

The year 1999 saw a moderate decline in violent crimes to 5,464 cases, which means a decrease of 180 crimes (i.e. -3%). In spite of the stated decline in crimes recorded it is still the highest proportion of violent crimes in the Czech Republic. 4,637 cases were cleared up which accounts for 84.2%, (+1.7%). Of the total number of violent crimes, 660 crimes (12,1%) were committed with the use of weapons (+40%), which is considered a serious element in the category described.

38 murders were recorded; 34 of them were cleared up. The structure of motives and the ways of killing people did not change in comparison with the previous period. Repeat offenders were involved in 9 cases (26.1%). 2 murders were committed by juveniles.

There were 797 (+11, t.j. +1.4%) robberies, 441 (+35) of them were cleared up and the detection rate was 55.3% (+3.4%). In terms of offender structure, repeat offenders were involved in 250 (+15%) crimes. i.e. 56.7% of all violent crimes cleared up.

The number of cases of injuries to health was 2,823 crimes (-3.2%), which accounts for 38.2% of the republic’s number of violent crimes!!! Declines were reported from the Ostrava, Olomouc and Bruntál districts. The police managed to increase the detection rate to 2,512 crimes, which is 89%. Repeat offenders had a largest proportion (25.6%).

Threatening Telephone Calls on Placing of Booby Traps – Spreading of Alarming news

In 1999, there was a slight decrease in the number of threatening telephone calls regarding the placing of booby traps (Sec 199 of the Criminal Code) to 149 (-88). 47 (-21) offenders of anonymous calls were detected, which accounts for a detection rate of 31.5% (+2.8%). In terms of the structure of offenders, the 40% proportion of children is interesting. Children are followed by juveniles with 320, and repeat offenders with 19%. The majority of such calls happened in Ostrava - 37 telephone calls out of which 8 were cleared up. Ostrava is followed by Karviná with 32 telephone calls and Olomouc with 30 telephone calls. The greatest success was reached in Opava where from 7 telephone calls, 5 were cleared up (71.4%).

The telephone calls on the placing of booby traps were directed, as in previous years, especially to schools and other educational facilities (50%).

The measures taken in such cases resulted in a high burden for the police departments and other organisations, mainly in terms of human resources and funds.

Fires and Explosions

In 1999, there were altogether 196 cases of fires; the detection rate is 35.2%. The main causes of fires were, as in the previous years, technical faults or negligent conduct. From 69 fires cleared up, children were involved in 28 cases and repeat offenders in 25 cases (36%)

Moral Crimes

In 1999, in terms of quantity the moral crime was not a problem with 323 crimes, which meant a decrease by 100 cases (-23.6%). 285 (88.2%, i.e. +1%) were cleared up. There were 107 (-54) cases of rape, 88 (82.2%) of them were cleared up.

Prostitution remains a problem in a borderland district near Těšký Těšín and partially in some larger cities. On the basis of analyses to date this is not a risky issue for the region.

Road Safety

A negative trend from 1998 in the increase of traffic accidents continued in 1999. There were 33,100 traffic accidents (+1,863, i.e. +6%), which means the traditional third rank in the Czech Republic for the region. A positive development was recorded in accidents consequences. 226 persons killed means a decline of 12 (-5%) persons. 912 persons received serious injuries, which accounts for a decline of 95 (-9.4%). 4,678 persons received light injuries, which is 139 less (-2.9%).

Bad driving, with 56 %, remains the main cause of accidents, followed by excessive speed with 17.3%. Motor vehicle drivers caused 91.1% traffic accidents and 67.2% of them were caused by the drivers of cars.

In 1999, traffic policemen handled 134,882 misdemeanours (+5,370, i.e. +4.1%) and the total amount of fines collected reached CZK 63.29 million. Of the total number of misdemeanours, 129,145 were solved by a fine on the spot.. The police retained 1,908 driving licenses, and 703 driving license were terminated. The technical inspectors retained in the course of 1999 12,063 Vehicle Register Documents.

Drivers are highly undisciplined and their legal conscience is very low. Especially the number of cases of driving under the influence of alcohol (1,425, -25, i.e. the highest number in the Czech Republic) demonstrates a serious incompliance with legal regulations. Most traffic accidents took place in the districts of Ostrava, Olomouc, and Frýdek-Místek.

North Moravia – crime development in 1998 and 1999 and the change of development in percentage
  1998 1999 +/- change in %
Total crime ascertained 69,787 66,206 -5.1
Crimes cleared up 31,053 34,042 3.2
which accounts for (%) 44.5 48.4 -
Total damage ascertained (in thousands of CZK) 3,875,500 3,891,154 0.4
Secured damage (in thousands of CZK) 40,794 44,477 9.0
Common crimes 59,861 55,085 -8.0
Crimes cleared up 22,122 21,553 -2.6
which accounts for (%) 37.0 39.1 -
Violent crimes 5,644 5,464 -3.2
Crimes cleared up 4,696 4,637 -1.3
which accounts for (%) 83.2 84.9 -
Of which: Robberies 786 797 1.4
                   Murders 52 38 -26.9
                   Intentional injury to health 2,921 2,823 -3.4
                   Dangerous threats 494 469 -5.1
                   Extortion 371 399 7.5
Moral crime 423 323 -23.6
Crimes cleared up 369 285 -22.8
which accounts for (%) 87.2 88.2 -
Of which: Rape 161 107 -33.5
                   Procurement (pandering) 15 16 6.7
Crimes against property 51,166 46,486 -9.1
Crimes cleared up 14,604 13,982 -4.3
which accounts for (%) 28.5 30.1 -
Burglaries 16,760 14,754 -12.0
Crimes cleared up 4,118 3,886 -5.6
which accounts for (%) 24.6 26.3 -
Of which: to shops 1,301 1,126 -13.5
                   to flats 2,150 1,886 -12.3
                   to weekend houses 1,715 1,533 -10.6
Common thefts 30,427 27,444 -9.8
Crimes cleared up 8,326 7,909 -5.0
which accounts for (%) 27.4 28.8 -
Of which: car theft 3,112 2,528 -18.8
                   thefts from cars 12,301 11,038 -10.3
                   bicycles 3,776 3,029 -19.8
                   pickpockets 1,091 1,025 -6.0
Frauds 1,215 1,357 11.7
Other crime      
Rowdyism 516 529 2.5
Unauthorised production and possession of psychotropic substances and poisons 133 243 82.7
Spreading drug addiction 28 105 275.0
Frustrating execution of an official decision 1,134 1,094 -3.5
Economic crime 4,592 5,851 27.4
Crimes cleared up 3,948 5,500 39.3
which accounts for (%) 86.0 94.0 -
Of which: Curtailment of taxes 112 189 68.8
                   Frauds 1,912 2,923 52.9
                   Embezzlement 838 1,038 23.9
                   Infringements of rights relating to trademarks 103 106 2.9
                   Infringement of copyright 95 75 -21.1

North Moravia – crime development in individual North Moravia 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 (%)
Bruntál 2,896 1,652 282 55.3 2,640 1,497 249 56.7 -11.6 -9.4 1.4
Frýdek - Místek 6,115 2,689 267 44.0 6,069 2,854 265 47.0 -0.8 6.1 3.1
Karviná 10,781 4,626 379 42.9 10,325 4,713 364 45.6 -4.2 1.9 2.7
Nový Jičín 4,233 1,963 262 46.4 3,960 1,954 245 49.3 -6.4 -0.5 3.0
Olomouc 9,191 3,654 407 39.8 8,621 3,650 382 42.3 -6.2 -0.1 2.6
Opava 5,088 2,668 280 52.4 4,611 2,456 254 53.3 -9.4 -7.9 0.8
Ostrava 19,191 7,563 594 39.4 18,753 9,045 582 48.2 -2.3 19.6 8.8
Přerov 4,405 2,234 320 50.7 4,239 2,253 309 53.1 -3.8 0.9 2.4
Šumperk 2,648 1,363 208 51.5 2,357 1,289 185 54.7 -11.0 -5.4 3.2
Vsetín 3,927 1,979 265 50.4 3,556 1,694 240 47.6 -9.4 -14.4 -2.8
Jeseník 1,222 662 286 54.2 1,075 637 251 59.3 -12.0 -3.8 5.1
Total 69,787 31,053 355 44.5 66,206 32,042 337 48.4 -5.1 3.2 3.9


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