Violent crime falls by 17% from 2007-2011 across country

Violent crime levels are significantly falling in most cities, according to figures held by the Public Security Ministry.

Between 2007 and 2011, crimes such as assaults, robbery, sexual attacks, and street violence fell by 17 percent across the country.

Several cities saw drops in violent crimes, including Hadera (40%), Acre (51%), Haifa (22%), Bat Yam (25%), and Eilat (27%). Additionally, Afula (37% drop), Beersheba (4%), Nazareth (29%) and Rishon Lezion (2%) all witnessed a reduction in violent crime.

Levels of youth crime also fell over the past four years. Ramle (50% ), Rishon Lezion (38%), Bat Yam (58%), Eilat (50%) Kfar Saba (66%) and Acre (60%) all saw falls in youth crime.

The reduction in violent crimes is attributed by Public Security officials in part to measures implemented by the City Without Violence program, under which CCTV cameras have been installed across city centers and hooked up to municipal control rooms.

The program also calls for cooperation between schools, welfare officials, central government and local government to work together to reduce violence.

According to a Public Security Ministry poll taken in recent months, 74% of the Israeli public feels a high sense of personal security, placing Israel fourth out of OECD countries surveyed.