According to police, assaults have increased in the capital region this year compared to 2006. Last weekend seven cases of assault and two robberies were reported to the police, one including a man in his late sixties being assaulted and robbed.
“According to a report issued by the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police crimes in general have increased this year. In the capital area the increase mostly involves assaults in downtown Reykjavík on Saturday and Sunday nights,” police chief Stefán Eiríksson told Morgunbladid.
Eiríksson said he did not know what is causing the increase in crime, but said it may be caused by more people going to downtown Reykjavík on Saturday and Sunday nights and an increase in drug abuse.
Eiríksson said police are cooperating with Reykjavík City on increasing the number of police supervision cameras in downtown Reykjavík and have approached owners of night clubs regarding doormen aiding police on supervising the area.
“The police have been understaffed for the last few months; there is a lack of police officers,” Eiríksson said.
