Crime rises in Lanzarote as crimes of injury and vehicle theft increase

3,473 crimes were recorded on the island during the first half of 2019, of which 38.1% took place in Arrecife

September 9 2019 (08:14 WEST)
Crime rises in Lanzarote as assault offenses and vehicle thefts increase
Crime rises in Lanzarote as assault offenses and vehicle thefts increase

Lanzarote experienced an increase in crime in the first half of 2019 as vehicle thefts and serious and less serious crimes of "injury and tumultuous brawl" increased, growing by 83.3% and 45.9% respectively compared to the same period last year, according to the Crime Balance prepared by the Ministry of the Interior. 

In addition, while in the first half of 2018 there were no completed homicides or murders, in 2019 there is the death of Romina Celeste, allegedly murdered by her husband and missing since January 1. Also, two intentional homicides or attempted murders were recorded, although in this case the figure remains the same as the previous year.

Specifically, according to the Crime Balance of the Ministry of the Interior, from January to June 3,473 criminal offenses were recorded on the island, 1.3% more than in the first half of 2018. As for crimes against sexual freedom and indemnity, there were 30 that occurred in the first six months of this year, the same as the previous year. However, while sexual assaults with penetration decreased by 16.7% with five cases recorded, one less than in 2018, the rest of the crimes against sexual freedom and indemnity, with 25 cases, increased by 4.2%. 

Regarding robberies with violence and intimidation, there is a decrease of 34.4%, with 40 criminal offenses recorded in the first half of 2019, 21 less than last year. Burglaries in homes, establishments and other facilities also decreased, in this case by 20%, having gone from 295 to 236. Of these, 130 occurred in homes, also registering a decrease of 30.5%. 

Thefts, with 856 criminal offenses, also fell by 9.5%, as did drug trafficking crimes which, with 26 criminal offenses, decreased by 18.8%. However, there is an increase of 9.4% in the rest of the criminal offenses, having gone from 2,006 to 2,195. 

 

38.1% of crimes were recorded in Arrecife


The Crime Balance of the Ministry of the Interior also reflects that 38.1% of the crimes recorded in Lanzarote during the first half of 2019 took place in Arrecife. And it is that in the capital 1,326 criminal offenses were recorded, which also represents an increase of 10% compared to the previous year. 

In Arrecife, the two attempted homicides took place and serious and less serious crimes of injury and tumultuous brawl grew by 127.3% with 25 criminal offenses recorded. Also, 25 vehicle thefts were recorded, with an increase of 78.6%. 

In the capital of the island burglaries in homes, establishments and other facilities also increased, which, with 93 criminal offenses, increased by 2.2%. Of these, 40 took place in homes, registering in this case an increase of 14.3%. Also, there were 274 thefts, 19.7% more than in the same period of the previous year. 

On the other hand, in the first half of 2019 robberies with violence and intimidation decreased in Arrecife, specifically 16.7% going from 36 to 30; and drug trafficking crimes which, with 12 criminal offenses, fell by 12%. 

As for crimes against sexual freedom and indemnity, there were 13 registered in the capital of the island, one less than the previous year, which represents a decrease of 7.1%. However, while sexual assaults with penetration fell by 80% with only one case registered, the rest of the crimes against sexual freedom and indemnity increased by 33.3% with 12 criminal offenses recorded. 

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