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Police Statistics
Serious Offence Cases
In 2022, 5,402 cases of serious offences were reported to the Police, of which 5.332 were recorded as actual cases, compared to 4,580 serious offence cases reported in 2021, of which the actual cases recorded numbered 4,512. In both 2022 and 2021, the group of offences against property ranked first in serious offences with 39.8% and 37.5% respectively, followed by offences against the public in general with 19.4% and 19.5% respectively. The serious crime rate (or index of crime), per 100,000 inhabitants, was estimated at 584 in 2022 and 501 in 2021, compared to 482 in 2020.
Victims
In 5,332 actual cases of serious offences in 2022, 4,868 victims were recorded, of which 1,053 were legal persons. Of the 3,815 natural persons, 78.3% were Cypriots, 7.2% were nationals of EU-27 countries, while 14.5% were nationals of non-EU-27 countries. In 2021, in the 4,512 actual cases of serious offences, 4,241 victims were recorded, of which 1,037 were legal persons. Of the 3,204 natural persons, 80.7% were Cypriots, 6.6% were nationals of EU-27 countries, while 12.6% were nationals of non-EU-27 countries. In both years the majority of legal persons (37.5% in 2022 and 42.3% in 2021) were victims of the group of offences against the public in general, while the majority of natural persons (54.7% in 2022 and 52.7% in 2021) were victims of offences against property.
Offenders (total) involved in serious offences
A total of 6,917 offenders were involved in committing serious offences (actual cases) in 2022. Of the 6,885 who were natural persons, 961 were women (14.0%), indicating that women's involvement in serious crime remains comparatively low compared to that of men. The main offences committed by both women and men were offences against property (36.8% of female offenders and 40.6% of male offenders). As regards the nationality of offenders who were natural persons, 56.4% were Cypriots and 32.2% were nationals of non-EU-27 countries. Approximately the same data are presented in 2021. A total of 5,896 offenders were involved in committing serious offences (actual cases). Of the 5,877 who were natural persons, women constituted 12.1%, while 60.8% of all natural persons were Cypriots and 25.2% were nationals of non-EU-27 countries. The main offences committed by both men and women were offences against property (37.6% and 26.2% respectively).
Juvenile delinquency
In 2022, a total of 713 juveniles (under 18 years old) were involved in committing both serious and minor offences, of which 60, or 8.4%, were girls. 345 minors were involved in serious offences, while 368 were involved in minor offences. As regards the nationality of juvenile offenders involved in both serious and minor offences, 54.0% were Cypriots, while 27.3% were nationals of EU-27 countries. In 2021, a total of 528 juveniles were involved in committing offences, of which 69 were girls (13.1%). 321 juveniles were involved in serious offences, while 207 were involved in minor offences. As regards the nationality of juvenile offenders involved in both serious and minor offences, 65.9% were Cypriots and 17.4% were nationals of non-EU-27 countries.
Court statistics
Criminal procedure
The number of persons brought before the court and whose cases were heard in 2022 amounted to 64.276, of which 50,150 were men and 14,126 were women, an increase of 9.5% over the 2021 figure of 58,704 persons (46,303 men and 12,401 women). The ratio of the number of persons convicted to the number of persons brought to trial was calculated at 0.58 in 2022 and 0.57 in 2021.
The proportion of women in the total number of persons brought to trial increased over time from 7.2% in 1976, to 15.1% in 1990 and to 17.1% in 2010. In 2020 the corresponding percentage rose to 22.3%, in 2021 it decreased to 21.1%, while in 2022 it increased to 22.0%.
Convictions
The total number of persons convicted in 2022 was 36,984, of which 28,581, or 77.3%, were men. In 2021, 33,563 persons were convicted, of which 25,715 (or 76.6%) were men.
Offences
In both 2022 and 2021, the majority of convictions were for traffic offences. More specifically, in 2022, 57.2% of men and 67.0% of women were convicted of traffic offences, while the corresponding figures for 2021 were 53.4% of men and 59.6% of women convicted.
Sentences
The type of sentence imposed varies depending on the nature and severity of the offence, as well as the individual need for proportional treatment of the offender. In both 2022 and 2021, the most common sentence imposed by the court was a fine in 91.7% and 92.6% of those convicted respectively.
Prison Statistics
Prison Population
The prison population on 1 September 2022 was 927 persons, 852 males and 75 females. The vast majority of the prisoners (97.0%) were 21 years of age or older, while 71.3% were convicts and 28.7% were pretrial detainees. Cypriot prisoners made up 44.8% of the total. The corresponding figures for 2021 were 645 males or a percentage of 91.2% of the total prison population which had risen to 707 persons on 1 September 2021. Prisoners aged 21 and over constituted 95.9% of the total, Cypriots 51.3% and convicts 72.1%.
Convict admissions
In 2022, convict admissions to prison amounted to 1,001 (833 men and 168 women), of whom 750 men and 164 women had been convicted of criminal offences by the Criminal Courts and the Military Court. The corresponding figures for 2021 were 727 admissions (624 men and 103 women), of which 568 men and 101 women had been convicted of criminal offences. The rest had been convicted of offences against the military penal code or for non-payment of a fine or debt. The number of conviction admissions per 100,000 residents aged 16 and over was estimated at 132 in 2022, compared with 97 in 2021. The corresponding figure for convicts for criminal offences was 121 in 2022 and 90 in 2021.
Length of stay in prison
Most sentences imposed in 2022 were up to 18 months and consequently the median length of the prison sentence was estimated at 9.6 months compared to 9.1 months in 2021. The actual length of time a prisoner remains in prison, however, is generally shorter than that imposed by the sentence, as it is largely reduced by the provision of the pardon. Consequently, the median length of stay in prison for convicts as a whole, based on 2022 releases, was 4.1 months compared to 3.6 months in 2021 (based on the corresponding number of releases).
Recidivist prisoners
Of all convict admissions in 2022, most (or more than 85%) had no prior prison sentence. Of those who had previously served at least one prison sentence, 39.3% had been re-imprisoned within less than 12 months of their previous release from prison. Further, a proportion of 58.0% had been convicted of the same group of offences as their previous prison sentence.
Methodological information
Identity of the survey
The survey examines the phenomenon of crime in the country over time and covers three axes: police statistics, court statistics and prison statistics. According to the Police Statistics, the analysis is based only on actions or acts considered offences under the Criminal Law and covers only serious offences reported to the Police and committed by adults, as well as all offences (serious and petty offences) committed by young persons (under 18 years of age). As regards Court Statistics, the data refer to the year in which the criminal proceedings in the Court were completed, i.e. the year in which the suspects were brought to court and charged. This year is not necessarily the year in which the offence was committed. As far as Prison Statistics are concerned, the analysis covers both convicts and defendants.
Definitions
Serious Offences: Punishable acts, attempts or omissions, defined in accordance with the Criminal Law of the country.
Crime Index: Calculated by the ratio of actual cases of serious crimes reported to the Police, per 100,000 inhabitants.
Coverage and Data Collection
This survey is based on data from three sources: the Police, the Courts and the Prisons.
The first axis, "Police Statistics", consists of the sections "Cases", "Offenders" and "Victims" and is based on data obtained through administrative records from the Police.
The "Cases" section presents data on cases of serious offences reported to the Police, and more specifically, detailed data as to the time, place and manner of commission of the offence, as well as the group of offences or the offence in detail. The case is considered as the basic statistical unit. It should be noted that in several cases more than one offence is reported, but only the most serious offence in each case is recorded.
The "Victims" section presents data on the victims (legal and natural persons) of the cases of serious offences reported to the Police, including data on the age, gender and nationality of the victim (natural persons), as well as on the relationship between the victim and the offender. The victim is considered as the basic statistical unit.
The section "Offenders" presents data on all offenders, legal and natural persons. As far as natural persons are concerned, adults involved in the commission of serious offences are covered, as well as minors involved in both serious and minor offences. An act that constitutes a criminal offence when committed by an adult may not be considered an offence when committed by a minor, as this is determined by the age of criminal responsibility according to the legal framework of a country. An offender who is involved in serious offences more than once during a year is counted as two or more persons (i.e. counted as another offender in each separate case). Data on the age, gender and nationality of offenders who are natural persons shall be provided, inter alia. The offender involved is considered as the basic statistical unit.
The second axis, "Court statistics", presents data on criminal court statistics. It is based on data submitted annually by the District Courts, the Causal Courts, and the Military Court and covers adults and juveniles. The basic statistical unit is the "case" in which criminal proceedings against the individual are completed.
The third axis, "Prison Statistics" is based on monthly and quarterly reports from the Central Prisons. The prisoner is considered as the basic statistical unit.
For more information the public can visit the Statistics Service Portal, under Living Conditions, Social Protection, CYSTAT-DB (Database), Predefined Tables (Excel) or contact Ms. Georgia Ioannou at 22602144 or via email at gioannou@cystat.mof.gov.cy.
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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