Crime rate in Spain falls

 

Spain's Minister for the Interior, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, has spoken of the country's latest crime statistics - specifically how the figure has fallen to 45.1 crimes recorded for every 1,000 inhabitants, which is the the lowest figure for more than a decade.

Critics in the Partido Popular opposition party have already questioned the accuracy of the figures - specifically the fact that the data only represents 'recorded' crime, and that the latest 'good news' has conveniently come as the country is about to go to the polls for the regional elections.

The Minister was speaking in congress earlier today to address the Interior Commission, when he presented the data, which he claimed was a result of the positive action taken against crime during the current administration.

The Minister pointed out a fall in the number of murders, as well as a fall in the number of thefts which hit a high in 2001, and praised Spain's the security forces who he said were responsible for the reduction in crime.