Given the 2% increase in crime recorded in the Interior Ministry's latest balance sheet published in December, Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska on Tuesday attributed the increase to cybercrime. He did this during his appearance before the Interior Commission of Congress and at the same time took stock of his six-year term as head of this department in the governments of Pedro Sánchez. In addition, the minister reduced citizens' feelings of insecurity by citing CIS statistics.
“You know that the progression of violations is essentially due to an increase in cybercrime, especially computer fraud, which accounts for almost 17% of the crime recorded last year,” he said. And he added: “The opinion of Spaniards about the insecurity of citizens in our country has improved significantly since the government of Pedro Sánchez.” The CIS barometer of January 2024 shows that the insecurity of citizens is the main problem facing in Spain only exists for 3.9%, while in January 2019 it was the case for 6.2% of Spaniards,” he noted.
In Spain there are three crimes that cause the crime rate to increase: namely cybercrime (which increases by 21.5% in a year), crimes against sexual freedom (increase by 12%) and drug trafficking (9%), so the last balance sheet. However, the most common crimes remain property attacks, which account for 44.4% of conventional crime and have increased by 3.6% in a year.
The minister praised the work of the employees of the state security forces and organs and emphasized their high social esteem: “Our police officers and our civil guard are institutions that enjoy an impeccable reputation in Spain, by the way, far more than we politicians,” he said. Although Marlaska He expected an increase in crime but also warned that “third quarter statistics reflect a slowing of the upward trend that began the year.”
A strategic priority
According to Marlaska, the fight against cybercrime “is a strategic priority and essential to ensure our security in the digital age in which we find ourselves.” The minister emphasized that cybercrime “endangers the integrity of our institutions, the privacy of citizens, the compensation of the most vulnerable (e.g. minors) and economic stability.” And he informed about a “criminal vector that is growing exponentially”: “ We went from 714 agents in 2018 to 1,352 in 2022, a 90% increase.” 1,312 agents for 337,251 violations recorded in the December 2023 balance sheet.
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“Nowadays it is rare not to know a person close to you who has not suffered one or more of these: computer fraud, telematics theft, crimes against privacy,” the minister continued. “We don’t want society to feel helpless against them. We refuse to allow our elders to continue to fall victim to phishing, for women to feel vulnerable to heartless people trying to blackmail them online, or for citizens to think that their credit card is an easy way for criminals to access their savings “, he specified.
Marlaska recalled that in 2021 his ministry approved the first strategic plan against cybercrime and a communication plan to raise public awareness. In addition, he noted that “operational action plans to combat cybercrime have been drawn up and are being implemented in both the National Police and the Guardia Civil.” And “an operational action plan of the Cybersecurity Coordination Office has been developed.”, but also Means will be created to create secure channels between this office and key operators “The website of this cybersecurity coordination center will be launched,” he announced.
That wasn't the only announcement. The Interior Minister also referred to a new VioGén II system “for a more effective fight against sexist violence”. As explained, it is a tool intended to enable comprehensive monitoring of cases of gender-based violence. A total of 1,239 women have now been murdered in Spain because there is evidence of sexist violence. There were 56 deaths in 2023. And so far this year, one woman has been murdered and two minors have been victims of vicarious violence.
Although the opposition speakers called for “a certain self-criticism” and focused their questions and interventions on other issues that directly concern the Marlaska department (immigration, the Catalan independence movement and the amnesty law, transfer of power, police forces, current controversies). court decisions or possible changes in the Citizen Security Act…), the minister addressed the audience and pointed out right at the beginning of his appearance that “it seems incredible that we have to remind some of you that constitutional rights are protected today .” Security institutions that inspire admiration inside and outside the country, and also in the rest of the world.” And he added: Spain is a place where safety comes first and we should be proud. Today we are a safer and more resilient country.”
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