DOHA: Crimes in Qatar declined by more than 14 percent in 2011 compared to the previous year, according to a report released by the State Cabinet. Financial crimes fell by 28.9 percent during the same period.
According to the Sustainability Development Indicators report released by the Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) in October last year, the number of crimes registered in the state increased seven times over the past 10 years. The Cabinet report, however, indicates a declining trend in the most recent years.
Of the total crimes registered in 2011, only one percent was of serious nature posing threats to public security, and the remaining involved violations of various rules and regulations.
The highest number of offenses — 47.7 percent — was related to issuance of bounced cheques and small thefts constituted 7.4 percent of the crimes. Scuffle between individuals and minor assaults formed 5.1 per cent of the crimes. Two-third of the crimes were related to properties. The culprits were identified and booked in a majority of the crimes and the number of unproven crimes declined by 38.3 percent over the past five years beginning 2007.
A total of 6,750 traffic violations were recorded in 2011 and 490 vehicles were seized for violating the rules. The law enforcement authorities foiled 79 attempts to smuggle drugs into the country during the year. A total of 579 people were accused in drugs-related crimes and 198 were arrested. The Civil Defence Department conducted 106 fire fighting operations and 356 relief and rescue operations in 2011, according to the report.
The Peninsula
