National Statistics Institute (INE) reveals results of National Citizen Safety Poll

SANTIAGO.- The Fifth National Urban Citizen Safety Poll (ENUSC) has indicated that over the last 12 months, at least one resident in 35.3% of homes has been a victim of some type of crime. The figure is practically equal to that reported in 2007.

Nevertheless, the results of the survey- which was applied to 25,931 homes between September and December of 2008-, indicated that between 2003 and 2008, the number of homes affected by crime dropped by 7.7 percentage points.

When compared to 2007, the poll indicated declines in the crimes of violent and armed robberies (6.5%) and home break-ins (5.2%). On the other had, however, increases were registered in economic crimes (2.8%) and felonies associated with bribery or corruption (0.7%).

With regards to the perception of crime, there was a 6.3% drop in the number of people who said that they believed crime rates had increased in Chile, while a lack of concern and control amongst parents continues to be indicated as the leading cause of delinquency.

At a regional level during 2008, Tarapacá, Antofogasta, Bío Bío, La Araucanía and the Greater Santiago Area all reported crime rates above the national figure of 35.3%, while the Magallanes and Los Ríos regions presented lower rates of 15% and 18.4% respectively.