Crime rates in Slovenia have returned to pre-pandemic levels with the police reporting they dealt with 54,017 criminal offences last year, up more than a tenth on 2022.

Damjan Petrič, head of the Criminal Police Directorate, told reporters on 11 January that all types of crime increased compared with the five-year average. Juvenile crime went up by 26% and organised crime by 18%.

Police discovered 53% more military weapons and 111% more ammunition for these weapons compared with the five-year average. The amount of weapons seized suggests they were destined for organised crime or extremist activity in EU countries.

A 13% increase in domestic violence was recorded and a 17% increase in child sexual abuse cases with investigations covering Slovenia, several EU countries and Balkan countries. A total of 72 rapes were recorded, two fewer than in 2022, with the clearance rate at 93%.

Police pressed charges in 29 murder or attempted murder cases, which is 11 fewer than the year before, while only one such crime is still being investigated, Petrič said.

Police Commissioner Senad Jušić said the overall crime clearance rate rose above 51% in 2023 for the first time in ten years.

A total of 8,099 serious white-collar crimes and cases of corruption were processed last year. In one case, the damage caused by abuse of office or rights exceeded €6 million.

In online fraud, more than €15 million in damage was caused to at least 330 individuals and legal entities.