How has criminality evolved in Poland, and how has the perception of Poles changed?
Between 1999 and 2022, crime in Poland decreased as the crime detection rate increased. In addition to the crime magnitude, the crime detection rate affects residents' sense of security. A low detection rate leads to an increased sense of security and impunity among criminals, which can escalate crime and create fear among other citizens. Nearly nine out of ten Poles believe Poland is a safe place to live. In 1996, 67 percent of Poles feared becoming a victim of crime. By 2023, that percentage had dropped to about 36 percent. Poles were most often concerned about a burglary of an apartment, house, garage, or petty theft. To a lesser extent, they feared being mugged, robbed, or beaten and injured.Breakdown of crimes in Poland
The decline in crime is also reflected in the different types of offenses. Particularly evident is the number of burglaries, which has fallen sharply since 1999. During the same period, the number of homicides fell by more than 50 percent, and the detection rate was more than 99 percent in 2022.The state of safety on Polish roads has gradually improved. Despite the massive increase in the number of motor vehicles, there has been a significant decrease in traffic crimes and, above all, a decline in traffic accident fatalities. The most common traffic crime is driving under the influence of alcohol.
Since the 1990s, there has been a perception that Poland is a paradise for car thieves. This phenomenon, however, is not confirmed by statistical data. Between 1999 and 2022, car thefts sharply declined, dropping by almost 90 percent.
However, not all crime categories are trending downward. Computer fraud and cybercrime have increased significantly with the development of technology and digitization. Economic crimes also remain at a relatively high level. Moreover, drug-related crimes recorded the most significant fluctuations over the past two decades.
