This is a 4 percentage-point increase on 2015, which was caused by two cases specifically whose investigations had started the year before, but were only closed in 2016.

A total of 19.1% of crimes (53,214) were committed in public areas last year, down by 1.6% compared with 2015.

Police registered 219 homicide cases, 15 more than in 2015. Over the last six years, the homicide rate has been constantly decreasing, Papp said, adding that more than 90% of murder cases get solved.

The number of burglaries and robberies dropped to 92,072 from 111,326 last year. The number of drug-related offences rose from 440 to 462. Car thefts were down to 1,573 from 2,414 the year before and the crime solution rate increased to 17.1% from 16.4%.

The police chief attributed the improved figures to the recent establishment of a special unit within the national police force assigned to investigate car thefts. Altogether 22.6% of crimes registered last year were committed in Budapest.

Injuries resulting from traffic accidents rose to 16,506 from 16,331, but the number of fatal accidents decreased to 556 from 585.

Crimes related to illegal migration dropped to 36,517 from 430,000. A total of 18,236 people entered Hungary’s territory illegally in 2016 compared with 391,000 the year before.

Regarding the goals set out for 2017, Papp said law enforcement will be aiming to speed up criminal procedures and continue to improve traffic safety.

Uncovering cybercrime and providing adequate protection of the borders in line with Schengen rules will be among the main challenges this year, he said.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.