A recent Global Peace Index ranks Switzerland in the 5th place worldwide in terms of its safety or, as it puts it, “the absence of violence or the fear of violence.”
This is a very good score, considering that 163 countries were included in the ranking.
Other international studies and surveys have also found Switzerland to be among the safest nations on earth.
For instance, Switzerland ranks among Top-10 safest countries in the world, according to this index.
READ ALSO: Just how safe is Switzerland as a country to live in?
However, a member of the parliament and a security expert is disputing Switzerland’s longstanding reputation as a safe country.
Higher crime rate
In a recent interview she gave to the Swiss media, Jacqueline de Quattro, who is a deputy from the Liberal-Radical Party (PLR) and the former head of security in Vaud, has sounded the alarm about what she considers to be a growing crime rate in Switzerland, as well as a general trend toward less security.
“We thought we were safe because we are a small country with a peaceful population,” she said. “But two factors have destabilised us: the geopolitical situation - Switzerland is at the centre of Europe and is therefore impacted by the impending crises - as well as the rise in crime on our territory.”
Most recent figures (2024) from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), show crime was on the rise in Switzerland.
That year, “the police registered a total of 563,633 offences under the Swiss Criminal Code (SCC),” the FSO reported.
"This represents an increase of about 8 percent on the previous year," it said. "Broken down by type of crime, the figures show a continuation of the strong upward trend in digital crime seen in recent years. There were also 8 percent more offences against property than in 2023. And serious violent offences increased for the third year in a row (+19%)."
Other data shows that police registered 41,429 break-ins in 2023 — 15.9 percent more than the year prior.
And while 98 burglaries were reported per day (on average) in 2022, that number went up to 114 in 2023.
The number of other thefts had also increased.
The number of stolen vehicles (54,5179), for instance, was 17.5 percent higher than in 2022.
And the theft of valuables from vehicles has exploded as well: 18,192 reports (a 71-percent increase) - the highest figure to date.
READ ALSO: Which crimes are on the rise in Switzerland?
Not enough investigators
To counter this growing trend, de Quattro has submitted a motion in the parliament, which has a wide support among other MPs, calling on the Federal Council to gradually increase the number of federal police (Fedpol) officers.
This move is imperative, she said, because “we need more investigators to combat serious crime, including terrorism, human trafficking, cybercrime, economic crime, violent extremism, and major drug trafficking.”
As it is right now, “due to a lack of inspectors, prosecutors are unable to complete certain investigations,” postponing or abandoning them altogether, she said.
As a result of this situation, “not only do these criminals go unpunished and their crimes continue, but it is practically an incentive for them to start again,” de Quattro said. “The message we're sending them is: crime pays.”
She said “Criminals don't risk much in Switzerland. This impunity plays into the hands of the Italian, Turkish, Baltic, Chinese, Russian, and French mafias that thrive on our soil and divide up criminal activities.”
Her conclusion: “We must react before it's too late. Look at the countries around us: they were too cautious and ended up being completely overwhelmed. I don't want organised crime to be able to settle its scores in our streets with shootings in broad daylight, as is the case over there."
READ ALSO: How likely are you to be burgled in Switzerland and how to avoid it?
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