Zagreb - Last year, the Croatian police achieved the best results in many aspects of their work since statistics were tracked, Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović said in Parliament on Thursday.
"Of course, things can and should always be better, that's why we continually improve work processes and the material status and salaries of police officers. I am sure that the police will be even better and more efficient in the performance of their duties year after year," Božinović said while presenting the report on police work in 2023.
He noted that the crime solution rate was 71.6%, staying above 70% for the fourth year in a row. Human trafficking crimes increased by 64% and the number of reported perpetrators by 108%.
Fewer economic crimes and reported perpetrators were recorded than in 2022, but the damage caused by such crimes was 83.2% higher, totalling €651 million.
The police were also effective in breaking organised crime rings, especially when it comes to drug crime. "In this regard, the Croatian police is recognised as a regional leader entrusted with the most complex operations by Europol, Interpol and other organisations," Božinović said.
While MPs from the ruling HDZ praised the work of the police, the opposition specifically warned about the traffic situation and the increase in the number of traffic accidents, as well as the increase in domestic violence cases.
Božinović agreed that the traffic situation was not satisfactory, but pointed out that other stakeholders in society should also get involved to improve the situation, highlighting the importance of raising public awareness of traffic culture.
Despite the fact that there was never more traffic on the roads, the number of road fatalities was lowest since data tracking began, Božinović said, noting that this was also the result of police work.
As for domestic violence, Božinović said: "We cannot be satisfied, but the increase in the number of reports is the result of greater trust in the police and advising victims to file criminal rather than misdemeanor reports."
Dragana Jeckov of the Independent Democratic Serb Party drew attention to the 60% increase in the number of hate crimes, which she said were most often motivated by ethnic and national origin.