According to police statistics, the total number of offences against the Penal Code has decreased, but domestic disturbance calls, drunk driving and speeding cases are on the rise.
- The number of domestic disturbance calls has risen especially with regard to loud noises and disruptive behaviour, but also with regard to domestic violence cases. The matter has likely been affected by the closing of the restaurants as well as by people's concern and anxiety as well as frustration towards the necessary corona virus restrictions, says Deputy National Police Commissioner Sanna Heikinheimo of the National Police Board.
The disadvantages of drunk drinking are especially visible for disturbance call cases during nights on the weekends, also for domestic disturbance calls.
- If the situation is prolonged, the threat is that the atmosphere in families as well as between neighbours will continue to become more tense and people's frustration will increase.
According to Heikinheimo, the risk lies in the outburst of bad feelings as individual overreactions, which for example is visible in the increased number of disruptive behaviour.
What is happening underneath the surface?
The number of violent offences against children reported to the police continues to fall compared to the corresponding period last year.
But in reality, the situation is most likely not as optimistic. There is great concern for children and young people with regard to what is going on underneath the surface. For example, as schools and places for hobbies are closed, offences are not reported to authorities unless it happens indirectly. The increase of unreported crime cases is obvious.
As far as the police is aware, a reason for why a part of crime reporting is not done at the moment is that people believe the crime process to be prolonged too much.
- Some people have troubles with reporting an offence online. When it comes to cases of violence in close relationships, it can be difficult for the victim to leave the house to make the report, which is highlighted during these times of restrictions. This can also contribute to the fact that for example assault cases reported to the police have strongly decreased, Heikinheimo evaluates. The offences might come to the attention of the police with a delay once the situation goes back to normal.
Help is also available during the emergency conditions
Unfortunately, the current state of emergency conditions is especially favourable for unreported crime, which is why each person should take responsibility for their family members and close ones.
- All cooperating authorities as well as organisations offering help have to work in close collaboration and cooperate on a practical level with a low threshold, so that domestic violence issues and violence issues in close relationships are effectively intervened with and that affected parties receive help and support, Heikinheimo emphasises.
Heikinheimo is also reminding that help is available. No one should have to stay alone in a distressing situation.
Number of serious speeding offences and drunk driving cases has increased
The number of cases causing a serious traffic hazard has increased weekly in the past weeks, and their total number is higher than last year. The number of intoxicated drivers in traffic has increased, as well.
For the first time in history, the number of drivers driving under the influence of drugs has exceeded the number of drunk drivers.
The police website offers statistics on crimes and emergency operations
The police has begun publishing statistics on crimes and emergency operations on their website on the Crime and coronavirus page at https://www.poliisi.fi/koronaan_varautuminen/rikollisuus . Statistics are updated once a week, and they are only published in Finnish for the time being.
