The number of crimes in the Sultanate of Oman increased by 4.9% during 2017 compared to 2016. According to the crime data of the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), released as part of social statistics series, the number of offenders increased to about 20,797 last year from 20,577 in 2016.

These statistics also showed that the number of Omani offenders reached 9,792, which is 47% of the total offenders, compared to 11,005 expatriates, reaching 53%. The crime ratio in the Sultanate was three crimes per thousand of the population, and of every one thousand people, there are five offenders. Al Buraimi and Al Wusta governorates have the highest rate of crimes, reaching 6 crimes per thousand of the population each. The two governorates recorded the highest rate of offenders, reaching 13 and 9 offenders per thousand of their population. In addition to this, the NCSI data revealed that 56.1% of the crimes and 55.4% of the offenders were recorded in three governorates, namely Muscat, Dhofar and Northern Al Batinah in 2017. Musandam governorate had the lowest crime rate, with just 1.4% offences and 1.7% offenders of the total criminals in the Sultanate. The highest ratio of criminals was involved in offenses such as violation of various laws and regulations, which comprises 23.4% of the total number of offenders in the country. This category includes the crimes such as illegal entry into the country, which were committed by 57% of the offenders. There were 41.2% criminals who violated the law of residence and work. There were 1.7% criminals who were found guilty of leaving the country illegally. Other crimes included violations of the laws of fishing in the sea, Omani passport, and identity card issues. The ratio of perpetrators of crimes against individuals was 19.7%. This category included offenses against individuals, of which 37.3% comprises minor offenses, 28.2% for offenses for insulting dignity and defamation, 10.8% for violation on sanctity of homes, 7.4% for quarrels, 6% for threats and intimidation, 3.8% for public discomfort, and 6.5% for others.

The crimes against money were committed by 22.5% of the total number of offenders. There were 59.1% involved in theft, 17.9% in breach of trust, 12.9% in cheating, 9% in harming others for money, and 1.6% for other offences.There were 3,297 crimes related to drug. This includes drug possession, trafficking, and abuse. The percentage of crimes against the public administration that violate public confidence is 4.4%. This category includes crimes of fraud committed by 37.4% of the perpetrators in this category. There were crimes of resistance of employees committed by 15.6%, abuse of the employee by 10.4%, misuse of job by 5.7%, slandering by 4.7%, and other such crimes by 21.4%%. About 3.5% of the total number of offenders was involved in crimes related to drunkenness and alcohol. This category includes the crimes related to drunkenness committed by 42.5% of the perpetrators, and smuggling and trafficking of alcohol by 57.5%. In crimes related to public display of immorality, the offenders comprised 2.2% of the total criminals. This category includes the prostitution, which is committed by 23.1% of the offenders, rape by 42.7%, adultery by 20.8%, public scandals by 6.8%, gambling by 5.3%, and other crimes, such as immorality and homosexuality, by 1.3% of the total perpetrators.

The lowest percentage of offenders was those involved in crimes of violations of the Weapons and Ammunition Law, with 0.6% of the total number of offenders, while the perpetrators of other crimes accounted for 7.9% of the total perpetrators. The lowest ratio of crimes was of the possession of arms, which was committed by 0.6% of the total criminals. There were 7.9% who were found involved in other such crimes.  There were 3.6% criminals in the age group of between 9 and 17 years. Most of them were involved in crimes against money.  About 38.9% of the total number of offenders was among the age group of between 18 and 29. This is the largest ratio of adult offenders. Most of them were involved in violation of various laws.  Most of the offenders were males, with about 94% of them being Omanis and 87% expatriates. For the full bulletin, you can log on to the website of the NCSI, www.ncsi.gov.om.

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