Most vulnerable to crime are the Jewish and Muslim congregations. All four Jewish congregations have been subjected to more than six violent crimes during the year, writes the newspaper Dagen which has taken part of the report. The same applies to about a fifth of the Muslim congregations.
The researchers have divided the crimes into property crimes and violent crimes, and both can be linked to the openness of the churches.
Property crimes often involve the fact that the premises are open and accessible, not least in the Church of Sweden and the Catholic Church, where there is often valuable property.
Violent crimes often occur in the diaconal activities where people in various forms of vulnerability are often met. Six out of ten of the Church of Sweden's congregations have been subjected to violent crimes at some point during the year, primarily threats of violence.
In total, 1,184 congregations have participated in the survey, which is part of a government assignment to strengthen the security of religious communities.
