Serious crime in public places on rise in Finland: Police

An increasing amount of serious violent crime takes place in public places in Finland, said police in a press release on Wednesday.

In 2024, public places accounted for almost half, or 48%, of the places where serious violent crime took place.

The police have created a situational picture of the events that took place in 2024 and their backgrounds, with the aim of preventing serious violent crime and identifying the perpetrators.

Understanding the background to these offences enables the police to also target their operations more accurately and effectively.

Serious violent crimes in public places most commonly take place in city centres at weekends and at night.

“The police take these types of offences extremely seriously,” said Assistant Police Commissioner Vesa Pihajoki, head of the Public Order and Security of the National Police Board of Finland.

“Serious violent incidents in public places are usually reported to the police as emergency calls, which are always responded to promptly and are allocated sufficient police resources based on an assessment of the situation,” he said.

According to Assistant Police Commissioner Minna Ketola, head of the Crime Combating of the National Police Board of Finland, the police effectively solve serious crimes. The police also use coercive measures effectively in solving crimes and the Police Act also allows the use of similar measures to prevent crimes.

“We work continuously with stakeholders, including minority groups, across Finland. Dialogue and cooperation has worked well,” said Ketola.

Deputy National Police Commissioner Sanna Heikinheimo said that background information on suspected perpetrators and victims, as well as possible networks, helps the police to target actions and more generally to find solutions to reduce serious violent crime.

“Reversing this concerning trend requires not only police action but also broader cooperation and social debate,” said Heikinheimo.

National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki said that the police will do everything in their power to ensure that Finland remains a safe country.

“At a general level, I want to reassure people that it is still safe to travel in public places in Finland. The police are present wherever people are. We are also constantly working in the background to prevent crimes,” said Koskimäki.