The streets of Helsinki, Jyväskylä and Turku were the most dangerous in the country last year, says the security index published by the police on Thursday.
The police have used the index to monitor the security of Finnish cities for the past 10 years, including the number of crimes such as burglary, assault and drunk driving.
According to last year’s figures, the safest city streets in the country were found in Lappeenranta, Hämeenlinna and Espoo.
However, police stressed that the index is only indicative, as results could easily be distorted by crimes committed by non-locals visiting the city. The index also does not take into account differences between urban populations.
Helsinki has been classified as the safest city in Finland since the measurements began. As the largest city in the country, the capital is likely to remain at the top.
"Jyväskylä is a lively city and many visitors come from Finland and abroad. When their crimes are confused with the crimes committed by the city’s population, a false picture emerges," Chief Inspector of the Jyväskylä Police Department Jari Lindholm said the city’s low security scores.
Nightlife a big factor
Lappeenranta’s continued good rating has been calculated thanks to the peace of the South Karelians, but Lindholm is not entirely convinced.
Celebrations, many of whom are often non-locals, often appear in crime statistics. The head of Jyväskylä said that most crimes usually take place at night in or near bars and restaurants, late night barbecues and taxi queues.
"It is not related to the nature of the people of Jyväskylä, but to the celebration of the Finns. When tens of thousands of guests arrive in the city in the summer, alcohol is unfortunately often consumed, leading to assaults, drunk driving and injuries." he told Yle.
The superintendent added that the goal of the Street Safety Index is not to compare cities with each other, but rather to help cities address safety issues.
"The index provides a solid basis for local security planning," Lindholm said, adding that the annual report addresses, among other things "what the situation was in previous years and what is being done to improve the situation."