Financial Crime World

Denmark’s Criminal Landscape: A Deep Dive into Types of Financial and Common Crimes

An Analysis of Denmark’s Criminal Landscape

Despite Denmark’s ranking as the second most peaceful country in the world, it is not immune to crime. This seemingly tranquil society has a complex criminal landscape that includes common crimes like thefts and burglaries and financially destructive ones, such as fraud and money laundering. Let’s explore the most common and financially destructive crimes in Denmark based on the latest available data.

Decrease in Property Crimes

In 2022, approximately 473,000 criminal offenses were reported in Denmark, a decrease of around 59,000 cases compared to ten years ago. The decline can be attributed to a decrease in property crimes, which include:

  • Thefts: The most common crime in Denmark in 2022, accounting for around 221,000 cases. The crime rate for thefts was 527 per 100,000 inhabitants, and Danes reported fewer thefts compared to 2018.
  • Burglaries: Around 23,000 burglaries were reported in 2022, accounting for 5% of all reported crime cases. This represents a significant decline compared to 2012 when 49,000 burglaries were reported.
  • Robberies: The number of reported robberies decreased from 11,000 in 2012 to 3,500 in 2022, representing a decrease of around 68%.

Increase in Violent Crimes

Despite the overall reduction in property crimes, there has been an increase in the number of reported violent crimes. These crimes include domestic violence, assault, and sexual offenses. Among these, sexual offenses, such as rape, have seen a surge in reporting in recent years. However, this trend does not necessarily mean an increase in the actual number of incidents but could be due to changes in reporting practices and victim support services.

Financial Crimes: A Growing Concern

While property crimes decline, financial crimes like fraud and money laundering continue to pose a significant threat to individuals and businesses in Denmark.

  • Fraud: Around 24,000 cases of fraud were reported in 2022, mainly occurring in the business sector.
  • Money Laundering: Approximately 3,000 cases of money laundering were reported in 2022 by the Financial Supervisory Authority.

Combating Financial Crimes

The Danish authorities are taking steps to combat these financially disruptive crimes. The Danish Police, in collaboration with the Financial Supervisory Authority and other relevant stakeholders, are working to improve investigative and preventive measures to curb the impact of these crimes on Danish society. Ongoing collaboration and data sharing between law enforcement agencies, regulators, and other stakeholders are essential to ensure a safer and more prosperous future for all Danes.