During the first half of 2025, a total of 690,224 crimes were reported, which is 38,755 fewer than during the first half of 2024 and corresponds to a decrease of 5 percent, according to preliminary figures from the Crime Prevention Council (Brå).
It is not a decrease that is so large that it surprises me, but one should remember that it still means that thousands of fewer people have been affected by crime. It is no small matter, says Manne Gerell, researcher in criminology at Malmö University.
In the entire Western world
The number of reported thefts decreased by just over 20,500, of which break-ins in basements and attics decreased by just over 2,500. Reports of bicycle thefts and thefts from vehicles also decreased by over 2,000 each.
At the same time, the number of reported frauds increased by over 3,300.
This development we have seen over a long period in the entire Western world. It follows how people's lives change in general. Twenty years ago, there were as many car break-ins per 100,000 inhabitants as frauds. Today, we have ten times more frauds than car break-ins, which is due to both fewer car break-ins and an increased number of frauds, says Manne Gerell.
AI can accelerate
To an increasing extent, we live our lives on the internet and then crime follows, but it must stop too. Much of this shift has already taken place. A speculation is that we will continue to see the development go in that direction but perhaps not as fast.
AI's progress and how criminals can come to use it is a concern.
Perhaps one can learn to automate frauds without a human being involved.
Decreased the most: Damage crimes - 21,850 Theft crimes - 20,568 Narcotics crimes - 5,898 Traffic crimes - 1,985 Increased the most: Other crimes + 6,505 Fraud crimes + 3,348 Crimes against persons + 1,693 Source: Crime Prevention Council (Brå).
