LONDON

Finland reported more than 400,000 suspected criminal offenses over the first nine months of this year, a 3% increase compared to 2024, new figures revealed on Friday.

There has been a sharp increase in criminal offenses in Finland so far in 2025 compared to the same period last year, with a total of 7,800 suspected sexual offenses, an increase of 10%, public broadcaster YLE reported, citing data released by Statistics Finland.

Among more than 400,000 reported criminal offenses, 2,200 reports were made about the dissemination, possession, or viewing of child exploitation material, meaning almost 140% more than in the previous year.

The data also showed that over 90% of these suspected crimes took place online.

The latest figures revealed how suspected shoplifting incidents were on the rise in the country, as 54,000 cases were reported this year, a rise of more than 16%.