The number of Bogota residents who report being the victim of crime increased from 36% in the first half of 2009 to 45% in the same period in 2010, reports newspaper El Tiempo.
According to a survey released by the Bogota Chamber of Commerce, 45% of those who suffered a crime reported that violence was used against them. Of these cases of violent crime, a firearm was used in 28% of cases, and a knife in 55% of cases.
The survey also measure perceptions of crime in Colombia’s capital city, finding that the number of people who reported a sense of insecurity rose to 63% from 59% in the period.
According to the survey “the factors associated with the sense of insecurity were the presence of criminal groups (45%) and the deterioration of the economical situation (41%).”
Of respondents, 66% report being the victim of theft, with cell phones the most commonly stolen item (53%), followed by money (20%) and personal items (8%).
The survey found that the number of respondents taking “self-protection measures,” had risen from 60% to 73%.
“The crime most reported was commercial robbery, where 43% of the victims made a report. 39% didn’t file a report due to lack of faith in authorities and 16% didn’t have enough proof,” according to the report.
The Chamber of Commerce calls on the national government to take stronger measures against crime.
