The average number of cases of breaking-and-entering reported each month increased from 150 in the first half of 2008 to 250 in the same period of this year. Minister of Justice Ragna Árnadóttir said this development is being monitored closely.
Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
During the long Merchants’ Weekend (an outdoor festival weekend in Iceland, held every year in the first weekend of August) 48 break-ins were reported, that is, between 12 noon on Friday, July 31, to 9 pm last night, Morgunbladid reports.
For comparison, 14 break-ins were reported during last year’s festival weekend and 27 in 2007. Police expect even more break-ins to be reported that took place last weekend.
“We have asked the police department in the capital region to provide information on the overall preparation measures undertaken last weekend. We are closely monitoring the development of matters and are in contact with the department’s employees,” said Minister of Justice Ragna Árnadóttir.
Hördur Jóhannesson, assistant police chief in the capital region, said he cannot explain why so many break-ins occurred last weekend compared to previous years but that they were likely caused by a number of reasons, such as the situation in the community and a shortage of police officers.
