Crime index down 19.3 pct in 2021, commercial crime up 15.3 pct

KUALA LUMPUR: The crime index for 2021 showed a drop of 19.3 per cent from 52,974 cases from 65,623 cases in 2020, according to the Malaysian Statistics Department report.

The crime index comprised violent crime and property crime, and both dropped by 13.4 per cent and 20.8 per cent, respectively, to 11,495 cases and 41,479 cases in 2021, respectively.

“Causes that led to lower criminal cases include the Movement Control Order (MCO), where social activities were banned along with interstate and inter-district travel. Stricter enforcement by the authorities and greater public awareness also helped protect against crime,” the report said.

The number of commercial crimes reported to the police in 2021, however, increased by 15.3 per cent to 31,490 cases over 27,323 cases the year before.

The highest number of cases recorded was for fraud with 91.6 per cent (28,842 cases) out of a total of 31,490 cases, followed by breach of trust (942 cases), offences under the Moneylenders Act 1951 (847 cases), cybercrime (400 cases) and counterfeit (204 cases).

The report also stated that the number of drug-related cases and arrests reported by the police in 2021 dropped 1.2 per cent and 11.3 per cent, respectively, to 108,220 cases and 129,604 arrests, but the number of drug trafficking arrests rose to 25,277 from 23,536 in 2020. — Bernama