Number of crimes in Flanders continues to fall
The number of crimes in Flanders continues to fall, according to a report published on Thursday by Statistics Flanders. The figures also show that the crime rate in 2023 was highest in metropolitan areas, the periphery of metropolitan areas, central cities and coastal municipalities.
The number of registered crimes in Flanders has been decreasing since 2012, with the exception of a peak in 2020 due to violations of measures related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2023, a total of 441,843 crimes were registered through official reports, around 5,000 fewer than the year before and more than 70,000 fewer than in 2012. These range from serious crimes such as murder to minor offences such as public drunkenness.
Theft and extortion, which includes all forms of theft, such as burglary, car theft and robbery, was the most recorded crime in 2023. This was followed by offences against physical integrity, damage to property and fraud.
Although it remains the largest category, the number of offences in the theft and extortion category has almost halved since 2000.
Crime rate highest in cities
Last year, the crime rate - the number of crimes per 100 inhabitants - was highest in large cities, the periphery, central cities and coastal municipalities. On average, smaller municipalities have a lower crime rate.
The city of Ostend, for example, recorded an average of 10 offences per inhabitant in 2023. This figure was higher in Ghent, at 12.2, and Antwerp at 11.7. Statistics Flanders does not take into account the seriousness of the offences.
Of the three Belgian regions, Brussels had the highest crime rate in 2023, with 13.3 crimes per 100 inhabitants. In Wallonia, the crime rate was 8.0 crimes per 100 inhabitants, while in Flanders it was 6.5.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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