Recent crime statistics in Switzerland show a worrying increase in serious violent offenses. Experts and politicians have discussed what may be causing this spike. Despite Switzerland ranking 11th out of 163 countries in the global peace index, there were 1,942 cases of serious violent crime registered in 2022, marking a worrying record. The Conference of Cantonal Police Commanders (KKPKS) has observed a general, slight upward trend in serious violent crime that needs to be studied more closely.
National Councilor Philipp Bregy believes that Switzerland is still a safe country but acknowledges that violence has increased compared to before the pandemic. He considers social upheavals to be the root of this increase and encourages focusing on putting the community first. According to Bregy, the increasing individualization of society and video games may play a role in the rise of violent crime. Communication Manager Adrian Gaugler from KKPKS points out that society is becoming increasingly anonymous and individualistic, and the common good seems to be losing importance.
National Councilor Andrea Geissbühler disagrees with Bregy and thinks that Switzerland has slipped in terms of security. She notes an increase in violent crime due to growing immigration and that many people from other cultures have a different relationship with violence or women’s rights, saying that “we import crime.” Fabian Ilg, director of Swiss Crime Prevention (SKP), agrees that the migration background is a proven risk factor. He adds that people with a migration background often have poorer education, difficult family circumstances, or traumatic biographies that can favor their willingness to use violence. It is said that around 70% of those imprisoned in Swiss prisons do not have a Swiss passport.
Geissbühler laments that criminal foreigners are still not consistently deported, contrary to the will of the people. She has campaigned for criminal foreigners to serve prison sentences in their home country. Many National Council colleagues agree with her that much of these violent crimes arise due to massive immigration. They say that it is the responsibility of politicians to make Switzerland safer by creating the legal basis to limit immigration.
Geissbühler recognizes that policing has become more difficult and calls for more support for the police from politicians. The KKPKS also agrees that police officers are increasingly occupied with paperwork and cannot be on the road preventively. Prevention expert Ilg believes that effective violence prevention is a complex problem that requires a multi-layered, targeted, interdisciplinary approach that starts as early as possible. Therefore, it may take some time before root causes are analyzed conclusively, and appropriate political measures can be taken.
A look at the crime statistics shows an alarming increase in serious violent crimes. Nau.ch asked experts and politicians about the causes.
the essentials in brief
- In 2022, Switzerland will set a new record for serious violent crime.
- For National Councilor Philipp Bregy (middle/VS), social upheavals are at the root.
- National Councilor Andrea Geissbühler (SVP/BE), on the other hand, speaks of “imported violence”.
Switzerland is considered one of the safest countries in the world. The Confederation ranks 11th out of 163 in the global peace index. However, the latest data from the police crime statistics leave a different impression: With 1,942 cases of serious violent crime registered in 2022, it marks a worrying record.
According to the Conference of Cantonal Police Commanders (KKPKS), a general, slight upward trend can be observed in the area of serious violent crime. These developments must now be analyzed more closely. Against this background, the question arises: Has life in Switzerland recently become more dangerous?
Bregy: «Put the community first»
National Councilor Philipp Matthias Bregy (middle/VS) basically takes the view that Switzerland is still a safe country. With the exception of violence against authorities, all crimes have decreased during the pandemic – the increase is now all the more significant.
Nevertheless, the violence has also increased compared to before the pandemic. It is therefore important to pay sufficient attention to the increasing willingness to use violence. Bregy sees social upheavals at the origin of this increase: “We should be careful to put the community in the foreground.”
The Valaisian is convinced that the increasing individualization of society is leading to a loss of community spirit. Furthermore, virtual worlds and video games certainly also played a role in the increase in violent crime. The KKPKS also emphasizes that society is becoming increasingly anonymous and individualistic. That’s why the common good seems to be losing importance, explains the communications manager, Adrian Gaugler.
Geissbühler: “We import crime”
For National Councilor Andrea Geissbühler (SVP/BE), on the other hand, one thing is certain: “In recent years, Switzerland has slipped further and further in terms of security. The Swiss Confederation is no longer one of the safest countries in the world.” She had to witness this trend as a private person and as a police officer.
Geissbühler sees the origin of this development in the growing immigration. Unfortunately, many people from other cultures have a different relationship to violence or women’s rights. The native of Bern is convinced: “We import crime.”
Many criminals have a migration background
Fabian Ilg, director of Swiss Crime Prevention (SKP), agrees with this idea to a certain extent: “The migration background is a proven risk factor.” Regardless of their origin, people with a migration background often have a poorer education, more difficult family circumstances or traumatic biographies.
In addition, these people often had poorer future prospects and a socialization that advocated violence. All of these factors favored the willingness to use violence among people with a migration background, according to the expert.
In fact, around 70 percent of those imprisoned in this country do not have a Swiss passport. 53 percent of the alleged offenses against the penal code can be traced back to foreigners – in the case of serious violent crimes it is 66 percent. “With a proportion of foreigners of 25 percent, these numbers must make you sit up and take notice,” explains Geissbühler.
No consistent deportation of criminal foreigners
The native of Bern therefore complains that criminal foreigners are still not consistently deported – contrary to the will of the people. In addition, she had campaigned in Parliament for criminal foreigners to serve prison sentences in their home country. A corresponding motion unfortunately failed in 2021.
Ultimately, Switzerland must also support sustainable projects locally in order to offer these people more prospects in their own country. In return, immigration would have to be limited, according to Geissbühler. National Council colleagues Mauro Tuena (SVP/ZH) and Martina Bircher (SVP/AG) voice similar tones: Many of these violent crimes are due to “massive immigration”. It is therefore the task of politics to create the legal basis to make Switzerland safer again.
Policing becomes more difficult
At the same time, Geissbühler points out that police work is becoming increasingly difficult. “If you restrict the police more and more and make their work more difficult, then you shouldn’t be surprised at such statistics.” Politicians should better support the police in their work. The former police officer is certain that law enforcement officers should be given more freedom.
The KKPKS also agrees to this demand: “The code of criminal procedure in Switzerland is very formal. As a result, police officers are increasingly busy with paperwork and cannot be on the road preventively.”
For his part, Bregy is convinced that politicians must provide the necessary means so that crimes can be punished in a targeted manner. As a possible solution, his party seems to have an increase in the police force in mind. In this context, the Valaisian also emphasizes that politics must guarantee equal opportunities in order to prevent social upheaval.
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Concerned about the increase in serious violent crime?
One thing is certain, violent crime is a complex problem – prevention expert Ilg also emphasizes this fact: “Effective violence prevention is multi-layered, targeted, interdisciplinary and starts as early as possible. In addition, violence prevention is designed for the long term.” As a result, it will probably take a while before the causes have been conclusively analyzed and appropriate political measures can be taken.
The increase in serious violent crimes in Switzerland is a concerning trend that is sparking debates and discussions among experts and politicians. While some believe that social upheavals and a loss of community spirit are leading to this rise, others point the finger at the growing immigration and the importation of crime into the country. Regardless of the causes, it is clear that policing and crime prevention are becoming increasingly difficult, requiring more support and resources from politicians. As Switzerland continues to grapple with improving its safety and security, effective violence prevention will undoubtedly require a multifaceted and interdisciplinary approach.