Crime Marked increase of 57 percent in juvenile offenses in the Basel region
The number of offenses reported among children and young people in the canton of Baselland rose by 57 percent last year. There was a marked increase in the number of serious violent crimes. This is according to the annual report published by the Office of the Juvenile Prosecutor on Thursday.
27.06.2024, 14:38
SDA
There was an increase in serious violent offenses such as attempted murder or grievous bodily harm.
In total, the Office of the Public Prosecutor for Juveniles was confronted with 3049 offenses in 2023. There were 1024 new criminal proceedings against minors. Their number increased by almost 26% compared to the previous year. This even exceeded the exceptional coronavirus year of 2020, which was the highest level in over ten years, according to the annual report. There was almost a fourfold increase in resource- and cost-intensive detention cases.
Cases of revenge and vigilante justice
The number of young people being assessed by the IV or undergoing IV-protected training is striking. There have also been several incidents of revenge or vigilante justice - a "worrying phenomenon", the report continues.
Offenses in connection with drug use, on the other hand, declined slightly. Nevertheless, highly problematic forms of mixed consumption continued to be observed in proceedings for violations of the Narcotics Act. The misuse of medication in combination with various drugs, artificial THC and other chemical substances is cited as an example.
More staff required
In order to adequately counter all these developments in the area of juvenile delinquency, the report states that a permanent increase in personnel resources at the Office of the Public Prosecutor for Juveniles is "unavoidable". When it comes to addiction problems, there is also a lack of institutions that can take in young people at short notice.
