Theft reports increased by 27 per cent since 2009, an analysis of crime figures by a leading criminologist has shown.

There were 8,680 thefts reported last year, up from 6,800 in 2009, reflecting a broader trend of increased crime reports.

“There has been a steady incident increase in reported crimes across the board from 2009, which was the year with the lowest reported crime statistics,” noted Saviour Formosa, a senior lecturer at the University’s Institute of Criminology.

Dr Formosa conducted an in-depth scientific analysis of crimes reported from 2004 to 2012 and published his findings on his website www.crimemalta.com.

He found that domestic violence reports shot up from 450 in 2008 to 1,028 in 2012. Drug reports increased from 78 in 2004 to 203 in 2012, while reported cases of prostitution went up from 16 to 101 in the same period, with a peak of 130 in 2011.

Dr Formosa said there were many possible reasons for a rise in reported crimes. These included falling disposable income, particularly in certain localities, coupled with rising demand for and availability of consumer goods. Increases in tourism arrivals also meant there were more potential victims.

The fact that tourism arrivals were concentrated in summer helped contribute to rising crime reports, as studies showed that hot temperatures coupled with reduced personal space had an adverse affect on behaviour.

Other notable increases included a rise in reported fraud, up from 160 cases in 2004 to 360 in 2012.

Computer-related crime reports went up from 10 in 2004 to 250 in 2012, reflecting increased usage, more victim-awareness and ever-ambitious offenders, Dr Formosa said.

Violence against public officers more than doubled, from 111 in 2004 to 230 in 2012.

Bodily harm reports averaged 1,111 cases a year, or three incidents per day, between 2004 and 2012, remaining fairly consistent year-on-year.

In terms of geographical location, St Julian’s had more than five times the national rate of offences in 2012.

Residents of St Julian’s, Swieqi, Pembroke, Msida and St Paul’s Bay were most at risk of theft from residences and those residing in St Julian’s, Floriana and Sliema were at the greatest risk of having their car vandalised, broken into or stolen.

“St Julian’s suffers weekend spikes because of the thousands of people who flock to Paceville and interact in close proximity,” Dr Formosa explained. Surrounding towns, such as Swieqi and Sliema, suffered a spill-over effect from this.

Dr Formosa’s figures also showed a sharp rise in the population at Corradino Correctional Facility, Malta’s only public prison.

The prison population reached a record 639 inmates (587 men, 52 women) on February 8 this year, up from 289 on December 31, 2004, according to Dr Formosa’s figures.

The Restorative Justice Act, intended to induce inmates to reform, came into effect in January 2012 but there have been repeated delays in processing prisoners for parole since then.

Asked whether a rise in reported crimes indicated a failure in justice policy, Dr Formosa said: “It is no secret that the Restorative Justice Act has not been technically implemented. We cannot bring any new variables into our analysis or assess the rehabilitation of prisoners until this law takes full effect.”

Shadow home affairs minister Michael Falzon said rising crime figures indicated that the Government’s prison policies and attempted justice reforms had been an “undisputed failing”.

While police officers had tried their best, Dr Falzon said, the force had worrying motivational and administrative problems.

Asked what Labour would do if it formed the next government, Dr Falzon said: “Try to pick up the pieces because there is no doubt that the police and the prison system are in pieces.

“We will try to reform the administrative structures of the police force and increase motivation. The prison system will need a complete overhaul.”

The Home Affairs Ministry asked for more time before giving its official response.