In 2020, more crimes were recorded in Winterthur overall. Rape and serious bodily harm in particular increased markedly.
Published: 03/22/2021, 6:58 pm—
The city police were busier last year: the number of crimes rose by a good one percent.
Photo: Heinz Diener (archive)
The good news in advance: In 2020, as in the previous two years, there was no completed homicide in Winterthur (In 2021 this will no longer be the case). Overall, however, the number of criminal offenses rose slightly and more than doubled in some areas. The most important developments in crime in Winterthur:
More rape and child abuse
The Zurich canton police reported 23 rapes in the city of Winterthur in their 2020 annual report. Compared to 2019 with 10 cases, this is more than double the number and marks the highest level in the last ten years. Winterthur is thus well above the national average, where the number of reported rapes has increased by 5 percent. The number of sexual acts with children in Winterthur has also increased by a good 50 percent, from 21 to 32. On the other hand, the number of sexual assaults has decreased: a quarter less was reported here than in the previous year. There is currently no explanation for the major changes compared to the previous year.
