Spain is 'one of Europe's safest countries', crime figures show

CRIME in Spain has decreased in the last six months, following an ongoing downward trend, says interior minister Jorge Fernández Díaz.

Overall, criminal activity has dropped by 1.9% in the first six months of this year in comparison with the same period in 2014.

Violent crime has reduced the most – murders decreased by 26.5%, aggravated robbery by 12.1%, burglary involving forcible and violent entry or exit by 12%, assaults by 10.6% and theft from non-residential premises involving force by 9.9%.

Statistically, violent crime rates are very low in Spain – in fact, among the lowest in Europe, if not the world.

Car theft reduced by 3.8%, drug-dealing and smuggling by 3.4%, pickpocketing and shoplifting by 1.3% and malicious damage or vandalism by 1%.

Crime rate in Spain in general sits at around 4.43 offences per 100 inhabitants, making it 'one of the safest countries in Europe', according to Fernández Díaz.

Criminal activity increased slightly in the north-western region of Galicia by 1.4%, in the south-eastern region of Murcia, by 1.6%, and in the Canary Islands by 0.5%.

The greatest reductions in offences were in Asturias, at 7%; La Rioja, by 6.3% and Cantabria, by 5.3%.

Figures taken for the first half of 2015 are the last ones covered by the old version of Spain's Penal Code – the reformed edition came into force on July 1 this year, meaning the next statistics released may show the effect, or otherwise, it has on crime rates.