There were more than 35,600 theft cases reported to the police over a period of less than five years varying from robberies taking place in restaurants, vehicles and private residences.

A detailed list tabled in parliament by Minister for Internal Affairs and National Security Michael Farrugia, shows how the total number of thefts which took place between the 2013 and July 2017 amounted to a staggering 35,624 in both Malta and Gozo.

The year 2016 tops the list with a total of 8,821, slightly above the average 8,000 reported in the previous years. The number drops drastically in 2017, with 1,483, but one has to keep in mind that this does not include the months from July to December.

Armed robberies stood at 122 over the last five years, peaking at 38 cases reported in 2015. Restaurants and bars were the most frequent victims of theft with 2,835 of theft cases by customers and 85 by employees.

There were 39 robbery cases reported from building sites across Malta and Gozo and more than 800 cases of theft from farms. Hotel customers reported a total of 1,150 with another 217 cases of mugging.

Pick-pocketing increased to an alarming number, with 7,600 reported in less than five years. From 2013 until July this year, the cases of reported pick pocketing were on a gradual increase. Cases defined as ‘snatch and grab’ stood at little over 600.

Religious temples were also struck by this sin, with 67 cases of theft reported in the last five years. A hotspot for thieves, beaches, served as the platform for 1,100 thefts.

Private residences were also a common theft victim, with 606 exterior thefts reported in five years and a staggering 2,389 cases of occupied residences reported. Vehicles were an easy target for thieves with the number of reported thefts adding up to 4,300 since 2013.