Cases of fraud have risen by over 30 per cent over the past year, as new forms of digital crime emerge, criminologist Saviour Formosa warned.

Last year, Prof. Formosa had warned the increase in cases of fraud came following greater public awareness in cases of corruption and bribery.

Computer related crime, in fact, increased by 20 per cent rise over the previous year, with most cases relating to password disclosure, unauthorised access and possession of data.

Money-laundering cases, recorded for the first time in 2017, registered a 94 per cent increase in just one year.

A total of 33 cases of money-laundering were reported compared to 17 cases in 2017, Prof. Formosa said, adding the perception of financial crime had gone up.

Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia said the police force’s economic crimes unit would be strengthened following the rise in financial crime reports.

The country’s crime rate reached 15,925 offenses last year - a seven point decrease, figures from this year’s annual crime report reveal.

An increase in population, coupled with an influx of tourists, meant crime was now more diversified, Prof. Formosa explained.

The previous singular crime phenomenon has also been brought to heel- pickpocketing decreased by 46 per cent to a total of 995 offenses in 2018.

Theft from beaches also decreased by 46 per cent- the lowest in 14 years.

Crime was mostly reported in Mdina, with several cases of parking reports. Floriana was a close second, and St Julian’s, which had previously been a hub for crime, is now third.