Sweden Sees Decline in Residential Burglaries Amid Possible Shift to Fraud

Residential burglaries in Sweden have significantly decreased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Preliminary data from the Brottsförebyggande rådet (Brå) indicates that while over 1,000 burglaries were reported monthly last year, the figure had dropped to under 900 per month by November 2025. The exact reasons for this decline remain unclear.

However, Swedish police hypothesize that criminals may be shifting tactics away from burglary toward fraud. According to Bror Schylander, a Brå investigator, one contributing factor could be the diminished value of stolen goods; the second-hand market has considerably lowered prices, reducing the profitability of burglary. This hypothesis aligns with police observations that declining resale values are prompting offenders to seek more lucrative criminal opportunities, such as fraud.

Though the decrease in break-ins is robust, the rise in fraud cases might be linked to this trend. The changing crime landscape highlights how offenders adapt to economic conditions and market dynamics, complicating law enforcement efforts. Experts continue to monitor these developments to better understand the underlying causes and to design appropriate crime prevention strategies.