Theft in the Kingdom is becoming an increasingly violent affair and largely the result of mass unemployment, according to an annual crime report released by the Ministry of Interior yesterday.

Although the number of violent crimes, such as murders, appeared to decrease last year, based on the Ministry’s statistics, the report shows there was an increase in the use of violence in crimes such as theft.

“The form of crimes has been changing,” the report says.

“[Such as] from [non-violent] stealing to [violent] robbery, such as motorbike robbery, robbery inside houses, exchange shops and gold shops at the markets."

“[Theft] cases have become serious criminal cases. Besides the use of guns, which are a murder weapon, there has been cruel and inhumane treatment in thefts such as slashing throats, putting gasoline on the body and setting [it] alight, burning down houses, poisonings and the killing of entire families."

The report says 43 per cent of crimes committed last year were the result of unemployment, 15 per cent were caused by gambling or drug addictions and 40 per cent were committed by wanted criminals.

Representatives of the Ministry of Interior and municipal police could not be reached.