The crime rate in the Vitebsk region decreased by 21% in January-October.

22 November, Vitebsk /Olga Bogacheva - BELTA/. The crime rate in the Vitebsk region for January-October decreased by 21% compared to the same period last year. This was announced today at a meeting of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee by the Prosecutor of the Vitebsk region, Gennady Dysko, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. Over 10 months, 10.2 thousand crimes were committed in the region. The crime rate per 10,000 population was 84.1 (nationwide - 89.6). Compared to January-October 2011, the number of robberies (by 19.4%), violent robberies (by 5.1%), rapes (by 33.3%), hooligan acts (by 47.9%), thefts of all kinds (by 19.7%), and fraud cases (by 37.6%) decreased. Fewer crimes were registered committed while intoxicated (by 8.4%), in groups (by 13.7%), by repeat offenders (by 19.3%), and by minors (by 19.2%). "The daily, targeted work of all relevant departments in implementing the provisions of the State Programme for Combating Crime and Corruption has led to a stable operational situation in the region, protection of citizens' legal rights and interests, safeguarding of state property, and enhancement of the authority of state power in the eyes of the public," emphasised the regional prosecutor. Gennady Dysko recalled that the State Programme for Combating Crime and Corruption for 2010-2012 and the corresponding regional programme for the current year are being completed this year. "Much has been done over the past period to address the programme's objectives. The activities of the region's state bodies have been focused on solving specific problems of ensuring public order at the place of residence of the population, organising a coherent and effective system for preventing offences, and increasing the responsibility of officials for the state of law and order in the regions," he stated.

In order to implement the measures of the regional program for combating crime and corruption, the regional prosecutor's office carried out constant monitoring of the crime situation, the causes and conditions contributing to violations of legal norms. A detailed analysis of the state and dynamics of crime, manifestations of corruption and other forms of anti-social behavior was conducted quarterly. The results of the analysis were considered at collegium meetings, operational and coordination meetings. A significant amount of preventive work was carried out by the internal affairs bodies, the State Security Committee, the Department of Financial Investigations, customs and tax authorities, and other state structures.

The Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, while generally positively assessing the amount of work done, drew attention to negative trends associated with the increase in crime in certain regions of the oblast. For example, in the Dokshitsy district, the crime rate increased by 13.7% compared to January-October 2011. The indicator remains high in Vitebsk, Orsha, Zheleznodorozhny districts of Vitebsk city, Shumilino, Dubrovno, Senno, Tolochin districts. In the structure of crime, thefts still predominate, accounting for 54.5% of all registered crimes. The detection rate of crimes has decreased. In addition, in the current year, the number of murders and attempted murders, grievous bodily harm, vehicle thefts, and abuse of official powers has increased. The governor also expressed dissatisfaction with the work of the patrol and post service, the work of law enforcement agencies in the area of illicit drug trafficking, ensuring the safety of public facilities, etc.

"All these issues require thorough consideration and response," emphasized Alexander Kosinets, demanding that the prosecutor's office strengthen its coordinating role in crime prevention, and that the heads of local authorities promptly take measures on all information notes from this department. -0-

BELTA