KUALA LUMPUR: The crime index showed a drop from 65,623 cases in 2020 to 52,974 cases last year, or 19.3%, according to the Malaysian Statistics Department report.
The crime index, which comprises violent crime and property crime, showed a decline of 13.4% and 20.8%, respectively.
“Causes that led to fewer criminal cases include the movement control order, where social activities were banned along with interstate and inter-district travel.
“Stricter enforcement by the authorities and greater public awareness also contributed to the lower figure,” the report said.
But the number of commercial crimes reported to the police in 2021 rose by 15.3% to 31,490 cases from 27,323 the year before.
The highest number of cases recorded was for fraud with 91.6% (28,842 cases) out of a total of 31,490 cases, followed by breach of trust (942), offences under the Moneylenders Act (847), cybercrime (400) and counterfeit (204).
The report also stated that the number of drug-related cases and arrests reported by the police in 2021 dropped by 1.2% and 11.3% respectively to 108,220 cases and 129,604 arrests, though the number of drug trafficking arrests rose to 25,277 from 23,536 in 2020.
The number of investigation papers opened by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission fell by 3.4% in 2021 to 828 cases from 857 the previous year. — Bernama
