Crime on the increase - UN

2007-10-01 12:30

Nairobi - Crime is increasing in the world's cities and now affects more than half of urban residents in developing countries, the UN agency for human settlements said in a report on Monday.

Global crime rates increased by around 30% between 1980 and 2000, the equivalent of more than 3 000 extra crimes per 100 000 people, said UN-Habitat, which is based in Nairobi.

In the last five years, 60% of city residents in developing countries have fallen victim to crime, it said, attributing the trend mainly to rapid and chaotic urbanisation.

"Urban violence and crime are increasing worldwide, giving rise to widespread fear and driving away investment in many cities," the study cited UN chief Ban Ki-moon as saying.

"This is especially true in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean."

In Latin America, where 80% of the population is urban, the rapidly expanding cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Mexico City and Caracas account for more than half of violent crimes in the respective countries.

Over half the world lives in cities

The report, entitled Enhancing Urban Safety and Security: Global Report on Human Settlements 2007, notes that more than half of the world's population now lives in cities.

It said there was a decline in urban violence in North America and Western Europe.

However, more than half of the city residents in both rich and poor nations worry about crime "all the time" or "very often", it said citing public opinion surveys.

Poor people living in urban shanty towns are most affected by the surging crime rates, including the some 100 million street children living in world cities.

"Insecurity affects the poor more intensely," said Anna Tibaijuka, the UN-Habitat director. "It breaks down socio-cultural bonds and prevents social mobility."

The report, released to mark World Habitat Day on October 1, calls for effective urban planning, design and governance as a key measure to prevent crime.

- AFP