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Also, churches such as synagogues, mosques and temples are included in the study. File image. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT
Seven out of ten parishes have been subjected to crime, according to a new report commissioned by the Swedish Agency for support for religious communities.
Most vulnerable to crime are the Jewish and Muslim congregations. All four Jewish congregations have been subjected to more than six violent crimes during the year, writes the newspaper Dagen, which took part in the report. The same is true for about one fifth of the Muslim congregations.
The researchers have divided the crimes into property crimes and violent crimes and both can be linked to the openness of the churches.
The property offenses are often related to the fact that the premises are open and accessible, not least at the Swedish Church and the Catholic Church, where there is often theft -proof goods.
Violent crimes often occur in the diaconal activities where people often meet in different types of vulnerability. Six out of ten of the Church of Sweden’s parishes have been subjected to violent crimes during the year, especially threats of violence.
In total, 1,184 parishes have participated in the survey, which is part of a government assignment to strengthen the security of the faith community.