Crime in Finland

Finland has a public criminal justice system. The police prevent and investigate crime, prosecutors decide whether to bring charges, and independent courts decide criminal cases and penalties. Other authorities and support organizations may protect or assist victims and witnesses. A crime report is called a rikosilmoitus in Finnish. It gives the police information about a suspected crime and can be made by a victim, witness, or another person with relevant knowledge. A report does not itself prove that a crime occurred. Call 112 when violence, a serious threat, a crime in progress, or another urgent danger requires immediate help. If the situation is no longer urgent, preserve information and use a non-emergency police reporting route. Crime can take many forms. Important everyday examples include theft, burglary, assault, sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking, threats, discrimination-related crime, vandalism, identity misuse, payment fraud, and online deception. Online fraud often relies on urgency, fear, authority, romance, or an offer that appears unusually good. Criminals may pretend to represent a bank, authority, delivery company, employer, relative, or buyer. Finnish services do not make an unexpected request safe merely because a message looks professional. Evidence may include messages, account details, receipts, photographs, medical records, dates, locations, witness information, and descriptions of property. Save original material when possible and avoid changing or publicly sharing it in ways that could harm the investigation or the victim. Victims can seek medical care, practical support, emotional help, shelter, and guidance even before the criminal process is complete. A person experiencing violence at home does not need to treat it as a private family matter. Children and dependent adults may require immediate protective action. Suspects and accused persons also have legal rights. Police investigation, prosecution, and court proceedings are separate stages, and a court determines guilt. Language assistance and legal advice may be available according to the situation. Prevention reduces opportunities for crime but never transfers blame to the victim. Useful measures include securing doors and devices, protecting identification and banking credentials, checking unexpected requests through a separate channel, and discussing suspicious incidents early.