Number of environment related offences increases

The recent review by the Finnish National Group for Monitoring of Environmental Offences said that the number of offences placed under investigation by the investigative authorities in relation to impairment of the environment (192) and nature conservation (46) have been growing over the last few years.

On the other hand, the number of environmental violations (214), however, has decreased, said a police press release.

“The importance of nature and environmental values and their protection in society have been highlighted in recent years,” said Chief Superintendent Arto Hankilanoja of the National Police Board.

Hankilanoja is also the Chairman of the Finnish National Group for the Monitoring of Environmental Offences.

He points out that the emphasis on environmental values can be seen in the fact, for example, that the authorities have a common strategy and separately updated action plan for environmental crime prevention.

“Scientific research has also generated new knowledge on the field, and legislation and cooperation between the authorities have developed. Environmental crime can also be motivated by the pursuit of economic gain and minimising the costs of conservation measures,” said Hankilanoja.

Operational cooperation between the supervisory and investigative authorities has been intensified through established regional cooperation networks. Since much environmental crime does not come to the attention of the authorities, the development of preventive action and increasing the risk of being caught are key areas of development.