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The Swedish Crime Survey
The Swedish Crime Survey (SCS or Nationella trygghetsundersökningen – NTU – in Swedish) is an annual survey of the attitudes and experiences of the general population of Sweden (aged 16-84 years) regarding victimisation, fear of crime, confidence in the criminal justice system, and crime victims' contacts with the criminal justice system.
The Swedish Crime Survey has been conducted since 2006. The survey includes a sample of 200,000 people. In the SCS 2022, approximately 65,000 people from the sample participated.
Method revised in 2017
The method for the SCS was revised in 2017, whereby the collection procedure was changed from mainly telephone interviews to internet questionnaires and postal questionnaires. The selection was also expanded and some of the questions were reformulated and new questions were added. Since one main purpose of the SCS is to be able to make comparisons over time, a method has been developed to enable the results for the period 2007–2016 to be compared with 2017–2022. Every effort has been made to ensure that all the descriptions of development over time for the results described in the report are unaffected by the change in method. It is important to emphasise this as the purpose of the survey is to study development over time and compare different groups in the population, rather than to estimate exact levels. Further information is provided in the Technical report for the 2018 SCS.
New offences have been introduced
The questions about pickpocketing, sales fraud, card/credit fraud and online harassment were introduced in the 2017 SCS, which means that results regarding victims of these types of offences are only available for the period 2016–2021.
Exposure to crime
Exposure to crime was investigated for the calendar year preceding the year on which the question was asked. This means that incidents where the respondent was exposed to crime reported in the 2022 SCS, reflect offences that took place in 2021. Exposure to crime in terms of offences against the person is reported as the percentage of persons exposed to crime, unlike property offences against households, which is reported as the percentage of households exposed to crime.
The questions about pickpocketing, sales fraud, card /credit fraud and online harassment were introduced in connection with the 2017 SCS, which means that there are only results from the 2017–2022 SCS for those types of offences.
Offences against the person
Offences against the person
In the 2022 SCS, 19.5 percent of the population (aged 16–84) state that they were exposed to one or more of the types of offences referred to in the report as offences against the person: assault, threats, sexual offences, robbery, pickpocketing, sales fraud, card/credit fraud and online harassment¹ in 2021. This is a decrease compared with the preceding year (in 2020 the proportion was 20.2%). There was an increase in exposure to offences against the person up to and including 2018, followed by a decreasing trend and the prevalence rate is now the lowest measured in the SCS since 2016.
The type of offence that had the highest prevalence rate according to the 2022 SCS was threats (7.8 %) while robbery had the lowest prevalence rate (1.2%).
Compared to 2020, self-reported exposure to threats, pickpocketing, card/credit fraud and online harassment has decreased in 2021, while exposure to sales fraud has increased slightly. As far as assaults, robberies and sexual offences are concerned, the prevalence rate is more or less the same as 2020.
Among those who stated that they were exposed to offences against the person in 2021, 43.9 percent (corresponding to 8.5% of the population) were exposed to crime once, 29.0 percent (corresponding to 5.7% of the population) were exposed to offences two to three times and 27.0 percent (corresponding to 5.3% of the population) were exposed to offences four times or more. Individuals in this group make up almost three-quarters (76.3%) of all incidents of offences against the person.
¹) Exposure to harassment were included in the category ‘‘offences against the person’’ until SCS 2020. Since then, harassment has been presented as a separate category.
Offences against the person
Assault
The percentage of individuals who state that they were exposed to assault in 2021 is 2.8 percent of the population (aged 16–84), which is at the same level as 2020. The trend for the period 2006–2015 was one of a weak decline, but the following period show an increasing trend until a decrease in 2020. Men (3.5%) state more often that they were exposed to assault than women (2.1%) in 2021. In terms of age, self-reported exposure to assault was most common in the 16–19 age bracket (men, 11.0% and women 6.7%).
Serious assault
A proportion of 0.5 percent of the population (aged 16–84) state that they were exposed to serious assault, which in the SCS refers to assaults leading to injuries requiring medical treatment by a doctor, nurse or dentist. This is the same level as 2020, but a decrease compared to the period 2016-2019 when the prevalence rate was 0.7 percent. Men (0.7%) state more often that they were victims than women (0.4%) in 2021. Self-reported exposure to serious assault was most common among men in the 16–19 age bracket (1.4%) and among women, in the 20–24 age bracket (1.0%).
Threats
In 2021 7.8 percent of the population (aged 16–84) state that they were exposed to threats, which is a lower level compared to 2020 (8.4%). Self-reported exposure to threats remained at a relatively stable level during the period 2006–2014, thereafter the level increased each year until a decrease in 2020. The results from upcoming SCS will show if the declining prevalance rate is the beginning of a new trend. The prevalence rate in 2021 is higher among men (8.0%) than women (7.6%). Self-reported exposure to threats was most common among young people in the 20–24 age bracket (men, 12.2% and women, 11.4%).
Sexual offences
- Include, for example, offensive, sexual comments in speech or writing, forced sexual acts or rape. Incidents could have happened at home, at school, at work, on the internet or in another location.
In 2021, 4.5 percent of the population (aged 16–84) state that they have been exposed to a sexual offence, which is approximately the same level as 2020 (4.6%). The prevalence rate remained relatively unchanged during the period 2006–2011 but then increased almost every year until 2017. A declining trend has been noted since 2018. Women (7.5%) state significantly more often that they were exposed to a sexual offence than men (1.1%) in 2021. There are large differences between age groups. The prevalence rate for both men and women is greatest in the age group 20–24, where 28.5 percent of women state they were exposed to a sexual offence, and 3.2 percent of men.
Serious sexual offences involving the use of force
- Refers to incidents which include someone forcing, or trying to force, the person into a sexual act by threatening, holding onto or hurting the person in some way.
Of the population (aged 16–84), 0.8 percent state that they were exposed to a sexual offence involving the use of force in 2021, which is the same level as in 2020. Looking at the development over time, the prevalence rate remained virtually unchanged during the period 2017–2019, and is thereafter at a slightly lower level. The prevalence rate is significantly higher among women (1.3%) than men (0.2%) in 2021. There are large differences between age groups. The proportion for both men and women is largest among young people in the 16–24 age bracket, where the prevalence rate among women is 4.9 percent, and 0.5 percent among men.
Serious sexual offences involving the exploitation of a defenceless condition
- Refers to incidents which include sexual abuse while the person was asleep or when the person was in a defenceless state due to intoxication.
Of the population (aged 16–84), 0.7 percent state that they were exposed to a sexual offence involving the exploitation of a defenceless condition in 2021, which is almost at the same level as 2020 (0.6%). The prevalence rate has been relatively unchanged since 2017 (it was slightly lower in 2016). The prevalence rate is significantly higher among women (1.1%) than men (0.2%). There are large differences between age groups. The proportion for both men and women is largest among young people in the 16–24 age bracket, whereas among women 5.6 percent state they were exposed to a sexual offence involving the exploitation of a defenceless condition, and among men the prevalence rate was 0.8 percent.
Robbery
In 2021, 1.2 percent of the population (aged 16–84) state they were exposed to robbery or exposed to an attempted robbery, which is approximately the same level as in 2020 (1.3%). The prevalence rate was relatively unchanged until 2015, after which a slightly upward trend is visible up to and including 2019, followed by a small decrease the following year. It is more common that men (1.9%) state that they were exposed to robbery or attempted robbery during 2021 than women (0.6%). In terms of age, self-reported exposure to robbery was most common among men in the 16–19 age bracket (4.5%) and among women in the 16–19 and 35–44 age brackets (0.9%).
Pickpocketing
In 2021, 1.4 percent of the population (aged 16–84) state that they were exposed to pickpocketing. This is a decrease compared with 2020 (1.7%). The development over time shows a downward trend throughout the measurement period, which has been particularly noticeable in the last two years. Women (1.2%) state less often that they were exposed to pickpocketing than men (1.7%) in 2021. Self-reported exposure to pickpocketing among men was most common in the 20–24 age bracket (3.5%), and among women in the 16–19 age bracket (2.4%)
Sales fraud
Of the population (aged 16–84), 5.7 percent state that they were exposed to sales fraud in 2021. The prevalence rate is somewhat higher compared to 2020 (5.5 %), and an increasing trend can be seen during the whole measurement period. Men (6.4%) state more often that they were exposed to sales fraud in 2021 than women (5.1%). The greatest percentage of self-reported exposure to sales fraud 2021, was found in the 35–44 age bracket among both men (8.7%) and women (6.9%).
Card-/credit fraud
Self-reported exposure to card/credit fraud amounted to 3.5 percent of the population (aged 16–84) in 2021. This is a lower level compared to 2020 (4.1%) and a continuation of the decrease seen in recent SCS. Before that, an increase was seen between 2016 and 2018. The prevalence rate is higher among men (4.0%) than women (3.2%) in 2021. In terms of age, exposure to card/credit fraud are most common among men in the 45–54 age bracket (4.7%) and among women in the 35–44 age bracket (3.8%).
Online harassment
Self-reported exposure to online harassment amounted to 2.2 percent of the population (aged 16–84) in 2021. This is a decrease since 2020, when the prevalence rate was 2.5 percent. The prevalence rate increased initially, and was then at a stable level until the last year's decrease. Exposure to online harassment is equally common among men and women (2.2%) in 2021. The prevalence rate is highest in the 16–19 age bracket, and is higher among young women (7.9%) than young men (4.5%).
Harassment
In connection with the follow-up interviews, it emerged that some people had misunderstood the screening question about harassment. They may have understood it as including telephone sales, for example. The wording of the question and how the results are reported were reviewed before the 2020 SCS and therefore only the results for 2019–2021 are presented.
Of the population (aged 16–84), 6.0 percent state that they were exposed to harassment in 2021, which is the same level as 2020. The prevalence rate is higher among women (6.7%) than men (5.2%). In terms of age, self-reported exposure to harassment was most common in the 16–19 age bracket among both men and women (men 7.8%, and women 13.6%).
Property offences against households
Property offences against households
The proportion of households exposed to car theft, theft out of or from a vehicle, bicycle theft, or burglary (all referred to as property offences against households) is 13.1 in 2021. This is approximately the same level as 2020 (13.2%). Over time, the prevalence rate has decreased since 2006, and the main reason is less people report exposure to theft of or from vehicles.
The most common property offence reported for 2021 is bicycle theft (10.3%), while vehicle theft is the least common (0.9%).
The property offences that have seen the most significant development since 2006 are car-related crimes, which have decreased considerably.
A majority (66.2%) of those who were exposed to property offences against households state that they were exposed once in 2021, while 27,7 percent were exposed two or three times. A smaller proportion of the households state that they were victims four times or more (6.1%). This group suffered 23,5 percent of all property offences.
Burglary
According to the SCS 2022, 1.3 percent of households were exposed to burglary during 2021, which is the same level as 2020. For most of the measurement period the prevalence rate has varied from year to year, but between 2016 and 2019 it was virtually unchanged, and has after that been at a slightly lower level.
Car theft
In 2021, 0.9 percent of households (refers to households which had a car) report that they were exposed to car theft, which means that the proportion is approximately the same as in 2020 (0.8%). The proportion declined significantly during the period 2006–2014, but then increased in 2015 and has since been virtually unchanged. Despite the increase, the prevalence rate in recent years is considerably lower than in the beginning of the measurement period.
Theft out of or from a vehicle
The proportion of households that were exposed to theft out of or from a vehicle was 4.1 percent in 2021, which is the same level as 2020. During the period 2006–2012, the prevalence decreased dramatically and has remained at a relatively stable level since then, until a decrease in 2020.
Bicycle theft
The proportion of households that were exposed to bicycle theft was 10.3 percent in 2021. This is a small decrease since 2020, when the proportion was 10.5 percent. The prevalence decreased during the period 2008–2012. Since then a slightly increasing trend has been noted until a decrease in 2020.
Fear of crime
Measuring fear of crime is complicated, but the SCS can contribute by providing a number of key indicators on the subject. The reference periods reflected in the section on fear of crime vary depending on the type of question. Questions about concern regarding various types of offences refer to the most recent twelve months (prior to the time of interview). The more comprehensive questions refer to the perception respondents had at the time the question was asked (2022). Regarding concerns about being exposed to crime, the questions about burglary and theft or vandalism of vehicles are the only ones that have been included in their present form every year since the survey was initiated, while the questions on concern about the remaining offences were added in conjunction with the revision of the survey in 2017.
Feeling unsafe outdoors late at night
The results in the 2022 SCS show that a total of 27 percent of the population (aged 16–84) state that they feel very unsafe or quite unsafe when outdoors alone at night or that they avoid going out alone at night due to feeling unsafe (of these, 6 percent state that they do not go out due to feeling unsafe). This is almost the same level as 2021, when the proportion was 28 percent. A decrease occurred during the first period of the survey and then remained at a stable level until 2016 when a significant increase can be noted. The proportion has since then remained at that higher level.
It is significantly more common for women (35%) to state that they feel unsafe than for men (18%).
The proportion is largest among men in the 20–24 and 75–84 age brackets (21%) and in the 20–24 age bracket among women (47%).
Feeling unsafe in own neighbourhood late at night
Perception of crime development
A total of 80 percent of the population (aged 16–84) believes that the number of crimes in Sweden has increased over the past three years, which is the same level as 2021. A decrease could be seen up to and including 2014, but with some annual variations. After an increase in 2015 the level has remained relatively stable, but it is at slightly lower levels in recent years compared to the first years of measurement.
A greater proportion of women (82%) than men (77%) state that they believe that the number of crimes in Sweden has increased over the past three years.
The proportion is greatest in the youngest age bracket (aged 16–19) among men (86%) and in the older age brackets, particularly the oldest (aged 75–84) among women (89%).
Concern about crime in society
Concern about crime in society
In 2022 SCS 46 percent of the population (aged 16–84) have great concern about crime in society, which is approximately the same level as 2021 (45%). Leading up to and including 2011, the percentage who experienced great concern decreased, followed by an increase up to and including 2017. The proportion then remained stable for a few years until an increase in 2020 and has since remained at a slightly higher level than before.
The proportion of people who have great concern about crime is equally large among men and women (46%).
Among men, the percentage is greatest among people aged 55–64 (53%) and in the 65–74 age bracket among women (57%).
Concern about close friends and family
In 2022 SCS 34 percent of the population (aged 16–84) state that they, very often or quite often feel concerned that someone close to them will be subjected to crime; this is almost the same level compared to the preceding year 2021 (35%). The proportion decreased until 2014, followed by an increase up to and including 2016, and since remained at the same level almost every year.
It is more common for women (36%) to be concerned that friends or family will be subjected to crime than for men (31%).
Concern that friends or family will be subjected to crime, is most common in the 45–54 age bracket among both men (38%) and women (43%).
Concern about being a victim of crime
The following questions about concerns about assault, rape/sexual assault, robbery and fraud on the internet were added in conjunction with the 2017 SCS, which means that results are only available for these types of offences for 2017–2022.
Concern about assault
The percentage of people who state that they are concerned very often or quite often about being a victim of assault 2022 is 10 percent, which is the same level as 2021. The proportion has remained the same with the exception for the temporary increase in 2020. The percentage of people who are concerned about being a victim of assault is almost the same for men and women (men, 9% and women, 10%). The highest percentage is found among men aged 20–24 (15%), and among women aged 16–19 and 20–24 and (16%).
Concern about rape/sexual assault
The percentage of people who, in 2022, are often concerned about being a victim of rape or another type of sexual assault is 10 percent of the population (aged 16–84), which is approximately at the same level as in 2021 (11%). The proportion has remained at a relatively stable level since 2017. It is significantly more common for women (18%) to be concerned about being a victim of rape or another type of sexual assault than men (2%). In terms of age groups, the proportion is highest among women in the 20–24 age group, where 46 percent report this concern. Among men the proportion is highest in the 16–19, 20–24 and 25–34 age brackets (3%).
Concern about robbery
In the population (aged 16–84), 15 percent state that they are concerned about being a victim of robbery in 2022, which is almost the same level compared to 2021 (16%). The proportion has basically remained unchanged since 2017, with the exception of 2020, when it was at a slightly higher level. It is more common for women (17%) to be concerned about robbery than men (13%). Among both men and women, the proportion is highest in the 20–24 age bracket where the proportion among men is 19 percent and among women the proportion is 21 percent.
Concern about fraud on the Internet
In 2022, 32 percent of the population (aged 16–84) state that they are concerned about being a victim of fraud on the internet, which is at the same level as 2021. The proportion has remained at the same level since the question was reformulated in 2020. The proportion of people who are concerned about being a victim of fraud on the internet is larger for women (34%) than men (30%). Among both men and women, the level of concern about being a victim of fraud on the internet is highest in the 75–84 age bracket where the proportion among men is 37 percent and among women the proportion is 43 percent.
Concern about burglary
In 2022, 22 percent of the population (aged 16–84) state that they are concerned about burglary, which is at approximately the same level as 2021 (23%). The proportion remained relatively unchanged during the first years, followed by an increase in 2012 that lasted until 2017. Since then the proportion has remained stable until a decrease in 2021. It is more common for women (23%) to state that they are concerned about burglary than men (21%). The percentage concerned about burglary is greatest in the 45–54 and 55–64 age brackets among men (25%) and in the 55–64 age bracket among women (26%).
Concern about theft/vandalism of vehicle
Among the respondents in 2022 SCS who stated that someone in the household owns a car, 24 percent are concerned that the household's car will be stolen or vandalised, which is the same level compared to 2021. The percentage concerned about the household's car being stolen or vandalised decreased during the first part of the measurement period and was relatively stable thereafter. After 2015 there was an increase leading up to and including 2017. The proportion then remained virtually unchanged until a decrease in 2021. The percentage concerned about theft or vandalism of vehicle is slightly higher among men (25%) than among women (23%). In terms of age, the proportion is largest among men aged 25–34 and 45–54 and among women aged 55–64 (28%).
Consequences of feeling unsafe
In 2022, 24 percent of the population (aged 16–84) state that they often have chosen another route or another mode of transport as a result of concern about being a victim of crime, while 12 percent have often refrained from an activity as a result of this concern. Furthermore, 20 percent state that they have often refrained from an activity on the internet as a result of concern about being a victim of threats or harassment, and of these respondents, 3 percent never engage in activities on the internet due to this concern. Lastly, 7 percent state that their quality of life is affected as a result of being concerned about being a victim of crime.
A significantly larger proportion of women than men state that they often have chosen another route or another mode of transport (women, 31% and men, 17%), and refrained from an activity due to concern about being a victim of crime (women, 15% men, 9%). For the other questions, the differences are small.
Confidence in the criminal justice system
Confidence in the criminal justice system
The criminal justice system comprises several different public agencies and the SCS asks questions about the criminal justice system as a whole, as well as more specific questions regarding four of its agencies – the police, the public prosecutors, the courts, and the prison and probation service. The section on confidence in the criminal justice system reflects the respondents’ perception at the time the questionnaire was answered (2022).
The results shown on confidence in the criminal justice system are mainly for the percentage stating that they have high (very high or quite high) confidence. The other response alternatives are low (very, or quite low) confidence or no opinion. This means that respondents that do not have high confidence do not by definition need to have low confidence. They could have stated that they have no opinion. However, the fact that some respondents have no particular view on a given issue, or are unwilling to commit themselves, is in itself an important factor to consider when assessing levels of public confidence. For this reason, those who state that they have no opinion in relation to the questions on confidence in the justice system are included in the result.
Confidence in the criminal justice system as a whole
In 2022, more than half (53%) of the population (aged 16–84) state that they have a high (very high or quite high) degree of confidence in the criminal justice system as a whole. This is at approximately the same level as in 2021, when the proportion was 52 percent. After a small increase at the beginning of the measurement period, the proportion was relatively stable until a temporary decline in 2017. The proportion then increased again, and is in 2022 at the highest level measured in the SCS.
It is more common for women (55%) to state that they have a high degree of confidence in the criminal justice system as a whole than for men (50%).
In terms of age, the proportion is greatest among men in the 35–44 and 45-54 age brackets (53%) and among women in the age group 45–54 (61%).
Confidence in the police
The proportion of the population (aged 16–84) who state that they have a high degree of confidence in the way the police perform their work is 59 percent in 2022, which is the highest level measured in the SCS but almost the same level compared to 2021, when the proportion was 58 percent. The level was relatively stable (with annual variations) until 2016, but 2017 saw a decrease in the proportion stating that they have a high degree of confidence. Since 2018, there has been a continued increase, and a total increase of 17 percentage points has occurred between 2017 and 2022.
It is more common for women (63%) to have a high degree of confidence in the police than for men (55%).
In terms of age, the proportion is largest among men in the 75-84 age bracket (58%) and among women in the age group 45–54 (67%).
Confidence in the public prosecutors
In the SCS 2022, 43 percent of the population (aged 16–84) state that they have a high degree of confidence in the way the public prosecutors perform their work. This is the same level as 2021. The proportion increased until 2009 and then remained at a stable level, followed by a decrease in 2017. However, the result shows that the proportion has increased again and is since 2021 at the highest level measured in the SCS.
It is more common for women (45%) to have a high degree of confidence in the public prosecutors than for men (41%).
Among both men and women, the proportion with a high degree of confidence in the public prosecutors is greatest in the age group 45–54, where the proportion among men is 44 percent and among women the proportion is 50 percent.
Confidence in the courts
A little more than two-fifths (41%) of the population (aged 16–84) state that they have a high degree of confidence in the way the courts perform their work, which is the same level as 2021. The proportion was relatively stable for most of the measurement period up to and including 2016. The proportion then declined in 2017, but has since 2019 increased slightly and is since 2021 at the highest level measured in the SCS (2010 SCS also measured 41 %).
It is almost as common for men (40%) to have a high degree of confidence in the courts as for women (41%).
In terms of age, the proportion is greatest in the age group 45–54 among both men and women (men, 43% and women, 49%).
Confidence in the prison and probation service
In the SCS 2022, 37 percent of the population (aged 16–84) have a high degree of confidence in the way in which the prison and probation service operates, which is an increase since 2021 (34%). The proportion with a high degree of confidence in the prison and probation service increased between 2007 and 2010 and has since remained relatively stable, until this recent increase and the level in 2022 is the highest measured in the SCS.
It is more common for women (38%) to have a high degree of confidence in the prison and probation service than for men (36%).
Among men, the proportion is greatest in the 16–19 age bracket (42%) and among women, the proportion is greatest in the 20–24 age bracket (44%).
Confidence that the criminal justice system as a whole treats suspects fairly
The results for 2022 show that 45 percent of the population (aged 16–84) have a high degree of confidence that the criminal justice system as a whole treats those suspected of crimes fairly, which is at about the same level as 2021 when the proportion was 44 percent. The proportion has remained at a relatively stable level for most of the measurement period, except for 2017 when the proportion decreased. A slight increasing trend has since been noted.
It is as common among both men and women to have a high degree of confidence that the criminal justice system as a whole treats those suspected of crimes fairly (45%).
In terms of age, the proportion among men is greatest in the 35–44 and 45–54 age brackets (51%) and in the age bracket 45–54 for women (52%).
Confidence that the police treats suspects fairly
In 2022 SCS 54 percent of the population (aged 16–84) have a high degree of confidence that the police treats those suspected of crimes fairly, which is an increase since 2021 (51 %). The proportion has generally been at a stable level between 2006 and 2017, but as of 2018 an increase has been noted, and in 2022 the proportion is at the highest level measured in the SCS.
It is basically just as common for men (54%) and women (53%) to have a high degree of confidence that the police treat those suspected of crimes fairly.
In terms of age, the proportion is greatest in the 45–54 age bracket among both men and women (men, 59% and women, 60%).
Confidence that the criminal justice system as a whole treats crime
victims well
In the 2022 SCS, 30 percent of the population (aged 16–84) have a high degree of confidence that the criminal justice system as a whole treats crime victims well, which is the same level as 2021. The proportion with a high degree of confidence increased slightly at the beginning of the measurement period and has subsequently remained at a relatively stable level. Between 2018–2021, however, the percentage increased, which has led to it now being at the highest level measured in the SCS.
It is more common for women (32%) to have a high degree of confidence that the criminal justice system as a whole treats crime victims well than for men (29%).
Among men, the proportion is greatest in the 16–19 age bracket (39%) and among women, the proportion is greatest in the 45–54 age bracket (36%).
Confidence that the police treat crime victims well
The results for 2022 show that 49 percent of the population (aged 16–84) have a high degree of confidence that the police treat crime victims well, which is at a slightly higher level compared to 2021 when the proportion was 47 percent. The proportion has remained at a stable level for most of the measurement period, but an increasing trend can be seen since 2018 and is in 2022 at the highest level measured in the SCS.
It is more common for women (50%) to have a high degree of confidence that the police treat crime victims well than for men (47%).
In terms of age, the proportion is greatest in the 16–19 age bracket among men (54%) and in the 45–54 age bracket among women (56%).
Experiences of the police
Crime victims’ contacts with the justice system
When a person has been subjected to an offence that is reported to the police, the person gains experience of one or more of the agencies within the criminal justice system. The experience is customarily limited to the person’s contact with the police in connection with the police report, but may also comprise contact with public prosecutors, counsel for injured parties and, in the event the offence comes to trial, courts. The section on crime victims’ contact with the criminal justice system reports experiences in the most recent three years at the date the question was answered (2022).
Experience of the police in connection with reporting a crime to the police
The 2022 SCS shows that 21 percent of the population (aged 16–84) have been subjected to a crime that was reported to the police in the last three years.
Of these, 43 percent stated that they had a positive experience of the police overall, which is approximately at the same level as 2021 (44%). The proportion was virtually unchanged up to and including 2015. Since 2016, however, the proportion has been at a slightly lower level with a certain tendency to decrease. The proportion of positive experiences is greater among those who were victims of crimes that contained some form of threat or violence (47%) than among those where the incident did not contain it (42%).
With regard to various parts of the police's work, the victims are most satisfied with the way the police treated them (53%) and with police accessibility (49%), but less satisfied with the information they received regarding how the police were working with their case (33%) and with police effectiveness in investigating the crime (19%). When comparing crimes with and without elements of threats or violence, the proportion of satisfaction is greater when the incident has entailed threats or violence, seen in terms of police's effectiveness and the way the police treated respondents. Looking at the question of the police's accessibility and information respondents received on how the police were working with their case, the proportion is almost equal.
Women state that they have a positive experience of the police more often than men, in terms of both overall experience of the police and the various parts of the police's work.
The proportion with positive experiences is greatest among the oldest age groups, for both men and women. In terms of both overall experience of the police and the various parts of the police's work.
Experience with public prosecutors and courts
Approximately 1.9 percent of the population state that they have been in contact with public prosecutors as a result of having been a victim of crime at some time in the past three years, even if the investigation did not subsequently lead to a trial. Of these people, 40 percent state that their contact with public prosecutors was positive, which is a decrease since 2021 (43%).
Of the population aged 16–84, 1.0 percent state that they have participated in a trial as an injured party in the most recent three years. Of these, 52 percent state that they are satisfied with the way they were treated in court, which is a decrease since 2021 (58%). Furthermore, 65 percent state that they thought it was easy to understand the trial, which is a small increase since 2021 (63%). Lastly, 53 percent feel that they were given enough information before the trial, which is a decrease since 2021 (56%). Of those who participated in a trial as an injured party, 59 percent had what is termed a counsel for an injured party. Of these, 66 percent describe their experience of the counsel for an injured party as positive, which is a lower level compared to 2021 (70%).
The differences between men and women are generally small in 2022, however, there are large differences in terms of experience with counsel for an injured party (as 74% of women have positive experiences compared to 55% of men). Among women, however, a decrease can be seen for almost all of these questions since 2021, while among men a decrease can be seen with regard to the questions about experiences with courts and counsel for an injured party and an increase with regard to the question of understanding the trial.
Footnotes
¹).The results regarding the 2007-2016 SCS have been recalculated as the SCS was carried out using a different method in this period. Read more about this in the 2018 SCS, Technical report (Brå 2019). For the corresponding results before the recalculation, see previous SCS publications.
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