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Geneva and Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Crime fell in canton Geneva in 2010 by 3 percent but it increased in Vaud, and canton Valais was the “safest” place to live.

These are some of the details emerging as cantons share their own crime records for 2010 following the publication Monday of nationwide crime records for Switzerland that for the first time relied on a harmonized reporting system.

A national system was put in place in 2009, but 2010 was the first year in which all cantons participated for the full year.

Crime rates for cities generally fell by more than the decrease in their cantons.

Geneva sees drop, but rise in break-ins “disquieting” says police chief

The city of Geneva’s crime rate fell by 5 percent compared to 2009 and compared to a 3 percent drop overall for the canton, but it is the Swiss city with the highest crime rate. The drop in Geneva was less marked than in other cities:

Lausanne, -13%
Bern, -14%
Zurich, -11%.

Police Chief Monica Bonfante noted, at a press conference in Geneva, that break-ins were up by a disquieting 5 percent in the city. She pointed out that four of the city’s five murders (down from eight in 2009) were cases of domestic violence.

Vaud studying preventive measures for juvenile delinquents

Vaud saw its break-ins rise very slightly, just under 1 percent, but juvenile delinquents are a growing problem, accounting for 18 percent of penal code crimes. A study begun in 2010 has already shown that crimes by minors occur during the hours when parental surveillance is at its lowest: Wednesday afternoons, Friday evenings and late Saturday.

The canton’s crime rate of 87.4 per 1,000 is well above the national average of just under 70 percent, a worrisome figure, according to the cantonal councillor responsible for safety and justice, Jacqueline de Quattro.  She noted at a press conference Tuesday that the canton is concerned about the level of imported violent crimes and is working on strengthening cooperation with French police in particular.

Valais says crime rate low, but number of property crimes resolved also low

Canton Valais has one of the lowest crime rates in the country, 49.3 per 1,000, making it one of the safest areas in Switzerland, authorities said Wednesday. But with a record of only one in five property crimes resolved, more work needs to be done to pursue criiminals, they said at a press conference.