Abu Dhabi - Records lowest crime index score of 13.54 in past six months
Published: Tue 15 Aug 2017, 11:27 AM
Updated: Tue 15 Aug 2017, 7:57 PM
Abu Dhabi has been named the safest city in the world by Numbeo, the largest user-contributed database about cities and countries worldwide.
With the lowest crime index of just 13.54 in the past six months, and a safety index of 86.46, Abu Dhabi came as number one on Numbeo, out of a list of 334 cities.
Respondents to the index stated that Abu Dhabi has very low crime levels, and the UAE capital scored a 94 per cent for a general feeling of safety in the city.
Basel, Switzerland was also ranked at the top with 16.34 crime index and 83.66 safety index, followed by Munich, Germany with 16.4 crime index and 83.6 safety index, Singapore with 16.9 crime index and 83.1 safety index, and Quebec City, Canada with a crime index of 17.08 and a safety index of 82.92.
The cities with the highest crime rates and lowest safety index went to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and Caracas, Venezuela.
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa was ranked the fourth with the highest crime index and lowest safety index, and Fortaleza, Brazil at number five.
Karachi, Pakisan came at number 50, Manila, Philippines at number 58 and Delhi, India at number 62 on the list.
Baghdad, Iraq was ranked the 72 on the list, Cairo, Egypt 79 and Beirut, Lebanon at 122.
Auckland, New Zealand was ranked 132 on the list, which was followed by Stockholm, Sweden and Los Angeles, CA, United States at 134. London, UK, came at 139.
Abu Dhabi: Hub of security
This is not the first time Abu Dhabi was ranked at the top, the UAE Capital also topped the safest city in the Middle East in The Economist Intelligence Unit's Safe Cities Index 2015.
Cities were ranked according to their digital security, health security, infrastructure safety, and personal security - which was linked to their crime level and the level of police intervention.
Moreover, in July, Abu Dhabi was named the second-best city in the world to live, work and do business in, overtaking both London and Paris, in the most recent Ipsos City Index.
Major General Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, the Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, said Abu Dhabi's top ranks are reflected with the ongoing safety strategies implemented by the UAE Government.
"It is not a surprise that our country has achieved these positive results, which show the extent of the leadership's support and interest in providing the best strategies to enhance the level of security and safety, which Abu Dhabi has achieved."
"The Abu Dhabi Police General Command has adopted comprehensive initiatives that reflect the directives of our wise leadership, which also reflect the achievement of security in our country."
Last month, the General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police, Department of Security, told Khaleej Times that authorities are continuously implementing a number of drives, to insure the safety of the community.
"Our country has become a safe and secure oasis and an attractive environment that provides for the wellbeing of all citizens, residents and visitors."
"Abu Dhabi Police vision in adopting a series of initiatives, which are directly linked with the community, have seen a positive interaction by residents," added the police official.
The UAE Capital currently has more than 200 nationalities living and working in the city, and the population continues to grow by an average of more than seven per cent each year.
There are currently more than 34,000 police officers in Abu Dhabi, but the numbers will grow by more than 47,500 by 2021 - representing one officer for every 58 people in the growing city.
"The plan is to focus on maintaining a whole and safe society, despite the rapidly rising numbers of residents," said the police official.
Crime and safety rankings
Established in 2009, Numbeo is a collaborative online database which enables users to share and compare information about the cost of living between countries and cities.
The index, which ranked 334 cities globally, is an estimation of overall level of crime in a given city or a country.
Crime levels lower than 20 are considered as "very low," crime levels between 20 and 40 as being "low," crime levels between 40 and 60 as being "moderate," crime levels between 60 and 80 as being "high" and crime levels higher than 80 as being "very high."
Alternatively, if the city has a high safety index, it is considered very safe.
Also at the top of the list for the safest cities in the world was Taipei, Taiwan with a crime index of 17.38 and a safety index of 82.62, Boise, ID, US with a crime index of 17.71 and a safety index of 82.29, Bern, Switzerland with 18.47 crime index and 81.53 safety index, Zurich, Switzerland with 18.67 crime index and 81.33 in safety, Tokyo, Japan receiving 19.38 crime index and 80.62 safety index, which is followed by Dubai, with a 19.52 crime index and 80.48 safety index.
Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General, Tourism and Culture Authority, Abu Dhabi (TCA), said Abu Dhabi ranked as number one is a reason why residents and tourists choose to stay in the city.
"Abu Dhabi has a solid reputation for safety with a virtually crime-free society."
"It is a priority when choosing a city to visit or live in and provides peace of mind knowing that you can feel safe anywhere you go in Abu Dhabi."
Ghobash pointed out that the result of the index supports Abu Dhabi's position as the leading city in the world to live, work and do business in.
"It highlights an aspect of life in Abu Dhabi that is a matter of great pride to all residents."
"The position of Abu Dhabi in this global ranking is a testament to the ongoing efforts to establish the Emirate as a destination of distinction with international standards of safety that are on par with global metropolises," he added.
The index, which ranked 334 countries globally, is an estimation of the overall level of crime in a given city or a country.
Crime level indicators
. Scores lower than 20: Very low crime rate
. Scores between 20 and 40: Low crime rate
. Scores between 40 and 60: Moderate crime rate
. Scores between 60 and 80: High crime rate
. Scores higher than 80: Very high crime rate
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com
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