(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Country retains spot as most peaceful country in theMiddle East
DOHA: Major crimes fell by almost half in Qatar last year enabling it to retain the coveted position as the most peaceful country in the Middle East based on Global Peace Index.
But cyber crimes showed a rise of almost 52 percent in the year over 2014 mainly due to the spread of technology and social media networks.
Users showed less caution in using social media and other tools and breached rules in dealing with the new technology said the Ministry of Interior.
Some 8900 individuals and companies were either banned or blacklisted last year for breaching human rights norms.
Some 10068 air tickets were provided to expatriates who could not pay for their travel home while leaving the country for good.
Authorities launched at least 90 inspection campaigns in 2015 to check compliance with local laws.
Some 2145 people turned themselves in expressing their desire to leave for their home countries for good.
A total of 30874 persons were detained in the year as they were found breaking laws and procedures.
The Ministry yesterday released highlights of ‘Security and Services Statistical Report” for the year 2015.
The rate of major crimes declined by 48 percent in 2015 over the previous year and the ratios were 90.7 percent to 99.1 percent less than global averages.
Complaints about major crimes were down by 49 percent.
There was a fall of 3.5 percent in the number of complaints received by public security agencies in 2015.
Public security personnel arrested 590 men and women (most of them outsiders) suspected of begging which is a crime.
The Ministry achieved ‘new accomplishments’ in regional and international cooperation with different agencies and other countries to combat drug trafficking and abuse. The Civil Defence achieved a best average response time of 8.4 minutes in reaching fire sites.
Qatar represented by the Interior Ministry showed positive statistical indicators for security and safety systems in 2015. These indicators were in keeping with global benchmarks that measure the state of peace and security in different countries.
The state of peace and security is measured by aspects such as major crimes improving safety procedures community partnership statistics (number of crimes committed and the services provided by various departments).
Also important is measuring the aspect of improving security awareness among community members.
Global Peace Index has been putting Qatar for the past five years as first in the Middle East in terms of peace and security.
It describes Qatar as one of the safest countries in the world given scarce violent incidents and the low rate of crime.
Figures show a substantial decrease (48 to 49.2 percent) in the number of lawsuits and major crimes including murder aggravated assault rape kidnapping robbery and arson.
The ministry’s figures show that crimes reported in 2015 fell 3.5 percent over 2014 despite a population growth of 9.2 percent.
Some geographical areas witnessed noticeable drop in crime rates. Dukhan emerged as the most peaceful place in Qatar as no major lawsuit or crime was reported last year.
The Capital Security Department’s jurisdiction saw a decline of 69 to 73 percent. Al Shamal and Al Rayan areas witnessed 18 percent decline in crimes.
While the global ratio for rape was 25 per 100000 people in Qatar it was 0.25 and robbery ratio was 0.13 compared to world average of 100 (per 100000 people).
Traffic violations also declined in the year which led to reduced mishaps and deaths and injuries.
The number of accident-related deaths per 100000 residents fell by 4.8 percent in 2015. Traffic violations fell by 4.7 percent in the past two years and totalled 1.72 million last year.
The Ministry of Interior has increase to number of its service centres to 18 located across Qatar.
They provide services related to immigration traffic CEID (finger printing) nationality and travel documents.
The total number of electronic services available on Metrash2 mobile app has reached 120 while services through e-channels such as self-service kiosks the ministry’s web portal and hukoomi website recorded 25 percent growth.
The total number of Metrash2 transactions in the year jumped by 119 percent to over 1.276 million.
Customer satisfaction level with regard to the ministry’s services ranges between 86 percent and 93 percent the survey shows.
The number of social media activists who engaged with the ministry in six languages through the digital media showed an increase of 80 percent which made a great influence in decisionmaking by authorities. Online campaigns on social media (Facebook Twitter and YouTube) reached a massive 17 million people said the ministry’s 2015 Report.
The ministry’s transactions last year totalled 53.3 million or 6159 every hour and 103 every minute.
The Peninsula