The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic forced the entire population of Israel to stay indoors for extended periods of time in 2020, which led to a decrease in the general crime rate, but a spike in cyber crimes and domestic violence and sexual abuse incidents, a report by the Israel Police, released last week, revealed.
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The data showed a direct correlation between the coronavirus pandemic in Israel and crime rates, as 2020 saw the lowest number of criminal cases in the last decade, 287,127, compared to 300,666 in 2019.
Despite the decrease in the number of criminal cases, the percentage of criminal charges filed slightly increased. In 2020, 44,015 charges were filed with the police, in 2019, 45,367. More than 3,000 of those were resolved through settlement.
The number of arrests decreased last year as well and was pegged at 46,501, compared to 50,126 in 2019.
According to police data, 42.9% of all cases were related to property theft, which increased by 11% last year. The police investigated 928 robberies in 2020, compared to 1,044 in 2019.
The police investigated 4,904 cases of trespassing on business property last year, compared to 5,522 in 2019. Trespassing on private property declined, 8,873 cases in 2020, compared to 12,286 the year before. As for car break-ins, there were 8,690 cases in 2020, compared to 10,489 in 2019.
The coronavirus was no obstacle for car thieves, 8,578 car theft investigations were launched by the police in 2020, compared to 9,896 in 2019.
The data revealed a slight increase in physical violence: 58,636 cases in 2020, compared to 58,344 the year before. Reports of spousal abuse increased by 11.6%, 25,747 in 2020, compared to 23,077 the year before. Police data revealed that a disproportionately large number of criminal charges were filed over domestic abuse during the lockdowns.
Harassment and intimidation charges increased in 2020 as well, 37,605 cases, compared to 34,795 in 2019.
Despite three nationwide lockdowns, Israeli employers continued to hire Palestinian workers illegally. The police opened 15,076 such investigations in 2020, compared to 14,303 the year before.
Drug abuse charges decreased by 15% due to recent amendments to Israeli law, which decriminalized the use of cannabis for citizens over the age of 18 when used in private.
As expected, the pandemic led to a spike in cybercrimes, 1,625 cases in 2020, compared to 1,258 in 2019, a 29% increase.
The police reported a decrease in crimes perpetrated by a minor, or involving them.
Sexual abuse and harassment incidents increased last year, with 6,139 incidents reported, compared to 5,936 in 2019.
The Israel Police stressed that besides fighting the pandemic and enforcing regulations, it continues to work to thwart, prevent and investigate crimes of all types. The Israel Police will continue to pursue additional, advanced measures to fight crime on a technological level as well.
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