The Liechtenstein State Police has published its annual report for 2025. The crime rate has risen above the 1,200 mark for the fourth year in a row – while at the same time the clearance rate has improved significantly. Particularly noticeable: a massive increase in violent crimes and drug offenses. Police Chief Jules S. Hoch also led his corps through comprehensive structural reform.
New structure, new wage system
As of May 1, 2025, the government adjusted the police regulations and realigned the organizational chart of the state police. Since then, the authority has been divided into four main departments – a new addition is the “Police Technology and Infrastructure” department, which takes care of special IT, communication and logistics needs. The reorganization was also the reason for a comprehensive review of the job classifications of all police employees after 20 years. The new wage system came into force on October 1st and, under certain conditions, opens up more wage-relevant career paths.
In total, 144.8 of the 160 target positions were filled at the end of 2025 – significantly more than in the previous year (136.8). Eleven young talents are currently in their two-year basic training. In addition, 32 riot police support the corps.
Crime: fourth year over 1,200 crimes
The crime statistics show a total of 1,424 criminal offenses under the Criminal Code for 2025 (2024: 1,373), an increase of four percent. At the same time, the clearance rate rose to 68 percent (2024: 64%). 575 people were identified as suspects, 62 percent of whom were foreign nationals.
Violent crimes increased sharply
The most striking trend in the report is the increase in violent crimes by 44 percent to 331 offenses (2024: 230). Threats (+35 to 84), coercion (+20 to 56) and physical injuries (+29 to 133) have increased particularly sharply. Shortly before Christmas, a homicide attracted particular public attention: three family members were killed, and the suspect then committed suicide in Switzerland. A total of three homicides were registered – one completed, one attempted homicide and one attempted incitement to murder. 34 sexual offenses were recorded, including a significant increase in sexual abuse of minors (nine cases compared to one in the previous year).
Drug offenses: plus 44 percent
Crimes under the Narcotics Act increased significantly to 582 offenses (2024: 404). Personal consumption offenses account for the largest proportion (535 cases). In addition, eleven smuggling offenses were proven and three drug-related deaths were registered. Since drug offenses are so-called control offenses – i.e. offenses that only become visible through active control activities – the numbers also reflect the increased police deployment in this area.
Decrease in burglaries and white-collar crimes
The development in property crimes is more encouraging: burglaries fell by 15 percent to 123 cases (2024: 144). Economic crimes fell by eleven percent to 296 (2024: 333), which was mainly due to a decline in money laundering offenses from 72 to 54 cases.
Emergency calls increased by twelve percent
The state emergency call and operations center (LNEZ) recorded a total of 10,443 calls in 2025 – an increase of twelve percent compared to the previous year (9,343). On average, 28 missions were scheduled per day. Problematic: 1,451 false calls caused considerable additional effort. As part of the “Target Image LNEZ 2027” project, the headquarters will be expanded to have a permanent staff of three.
Threats against authorities are increasing
The Violence Protection Unit – known as “Threat Management” until May 2025 – recorded 85 reports (2024: 59). Particularly striking: The cases of threatening behavior towards authorities and institutions rose from seven to 21. In the area of domestic violence, 188 reports were received, of which 55 were criminally relevant violent incidents.
Traffic: more accidents, fewer serious injuries
The number of traffic accidents rose by four percent to 460 in 2025 (2024: 442). 118 people were injured, 34 of them seriously, and two people were killed. The most common cause of accidents remains a lack of attention – responsible for 38 percent of all accidents. Positive: Accidents involving pedestrians halved to eight cases, and e-bike accidents fell significantly (from 31 to 16).
State prison under pressure
The state prison recorded a total of 11,257 days of detention in 2025 – an increase of 13 percent compared to the previous year (9,935). Pretrial prisoners with psychological problems pose a particular challenge: the available places in Vorarlberg for their inpatient treatment are scarce and often not available.
