vm.ee Estonian Review
According to fresh data released by the Ministry of Justice, the crime rate dropped 5 percent in 2014 compared to the previous year, and 34 percent compared to 10 years ago.

Last year, a total of 37,787 crimes were registered, including the lowest number of murders and homicides since re-independence.

In 2014, 42 killings and 13 murders were registered, the difference being that the latter includes intent to kill.

According to the ministry, 1-3 percent of the population comes into contact with violence each year, but only 40 percent of the cases are reported to the police.

The percentage of crimes solved by the authorities remained stable, at slightly over half of the cases solved.

On a regional basis, Põlva (crime down 23 percent), Võru (20 percent) and Lääne (14 percent) counties became safer while crime rates increased in Saare (up 20 percent), Hiiu (7 percent) and Tartu (7 percent) counties.

Justice Minister Andres Anvelt said that the number of violent deaths must be halved to reach the average level in Europe.

ERR

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