NCJ Number
146737
Journal
European Journal of Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (1993) Pages: 123-132
Date Published
1993
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Since the 1970's, authorities in Hungary have recorded steadily increasing crime rates; the number of reported criminal offenses has tripled over the past 20 years.
Abstract
Criminals are being apprehended only after more prolonged spells of criminal activity and there has been a rise in the number of unsolved crimes, as well. In 1987, 65.5 percent of all cases were classified as misdemeanors and 34.5 percent as felonies; by 1991, the figures were 47.3 percent and 52.7 percent, respectively. While there has clearly been a parallel increase in the number of people victimized by crime, the Hungarian public seems to be unprepared for the new situation; many people fail to take even obvious precautions to protect their property and are often indifferent to the crimes suffered by others. Fortunately, the growth in violent crime has not kept pace with the rise in other criminal offenses, notably property crimes. Seventy-nine percent of Hungarian offenders are between the ages of 18 and 39; only 4.1 percent of all identified offenders in 1991 were foreigners. The author notes several factors related to the crime trends described here, including social mobility, poverty, schooling, homelessness, and unemployment. 1 table and 23 references