Interior Ministry: We're Focusing Intensively on Issue of Petty Theft (2)

Bratislava, 4 November (TASR) – The Interior Ministry and the Police Corps are focusing intensively on the issue of so-called petty theft, adopting specific measures to improve security in shops and on the streets of towns and villages, but criminals in Slovakia are also encouraged to steal repeatedly by the opposition, the ministry's press department stated on Tuesday. The ministry said this in response to comments by representatives of the opposition Christian Democrats (KDH), who claimed that the security situation in Slovakia has taken a turn for the worse as a result of amendments to the Criminal Code. "Both the Interior Ministry and the Police Corps are paying close attention to the issue of petty theft and increasing aggression in retail shops directed at shop assistants, security staff and customers. This isn't only a Slovak problem – similar trends can be seen across Europe. In Slovakia, however, criminals are further encouraged by the opposition, which claims that it pays to steal. We also point out that repealing of the so-called 'three-strikes paragraph' was proposed by the current opposition during the previous parliamentary term," said the ministry. It added that specific measures are being implemented. "Meetings are being held with the Slovak Trade Association and the Slovak Alliance of Modern Trade, as well as with representatives of local authorities. The police regularly carry out preventive and security operations targeting theft and other property crime, and they cooperate with vendors and municipalities to improve safety in high-risk areas, strengthen the work of community officers and address offences on a daily basis," added the ministry. The ministry also pointed out that the Criminal Code and the issue of assessing repeated thefts as a criminal offence fall under the jurisdiction of the Justice Ministry. However, it expressed readiness to discuss the punishment of repeat offenders. "Our powers lie in the misdemeanour law, where we are introducing legislative changes to make proceedings more efficient and to accelerate the punishment of offenders. We've submitted for interdepartmental review a draft amendment to the misdemeanour law that expands the range of sanctions to include a new form – minor community services," the ministry explained. It noted that this new measure is intended primarily for offenders without property and can also be imposed on minors. "Minor community service, ranging from 20 to 150 hours, will be carried out by the offenders for the municipality or its budgetary or contributory organisation, during their free time and without remuneration. If the offender fails to perform the imposed service, the administrative authority will convert it into a fine," said the ministry. Earlier on Tuesday, opposition representatives warned of deteriorating security in Slovakia and a rise in the number of thefts in shops. They claimed that this is a consequence of recent changes to criminal law. They also criticised Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD), arguing that he should have anticipated that his subordinate sections would be unable to cope with the situation following the amendments. KDH called for a constructive solution and proposed that recidivist petty thefts should once again be dealt with under the Criminal Code. It stated that offenders who refuse to perform community service should face imprisonment, and it also pointed to the need to amend the misdemeanour law, suggesting alternative penalties and sanctions, including punishment for disregarding an imposed sentence. NOTE: This story has been extended to include the final three paragraphs mf/df