MOSCOW. Nov 6 (Interfax) - The grave crime rate has been reducing in Russia, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said in an interview published by Rossiyskaya Gazeta on Wednesday.
"This year's data is clear proof of our work results. The crime rate per 100,000 citizens has declined by almost 55 points to 1,168 crimes. Importantly, we are witnessing a decrease in grave crimes, such as murders and premeditated heavy health damage," Kolokoltsev said.
The number of assaults and robberies has significantly reduced, while the number of solved crimes has grown, the minister added.
"Much is being done to deter organized crime. We are focused the deterrence of ethnic organized crime groups," he said.
The activity of 438 crime groups of the kind was stopped this year alone, he added.