Crime data in Euskadi shows two distinct paths: on one hand, digital delinquency, silent but constantly growing; on the other, social concern about insecurity, manifested in thefts, bladed weapons, and urban violence. The mayor of Donostia has linked physical thefts to the recidivism of a few offenders, a significant aspect given that one in three known crimes in Euskadi is a theft.
Paradoxically, while the debate on insecurity and multi-recidivism gains political and social weight in Donostia and Gipuzkoa, some of the physical crimes most associated with this perception decreased in the territory last year. Thefts fell by about 4% in Gipuzkoa, and robberies in shops and other closed spaces plummeted by 41%, the largest drop recorded in Euskadi.
“"Almost 88% of the crimes were attempted scams, demonstrating that crime is increasingly virtual and less physical."
The Ertzaintza is adapting to this new reality with new cybersecurity units, digital monitoring systems, and specific controls against bladed weapons. In 2025, 28,271 cybercrimes were registered in Euskadi, representing almost one in five known crimes. Of these, almost 88% were scams. Gipuzkoa is the territory where the rate of cybercrimes increases the most, offsetting the decrease in face-to-face criminal offenses.
The specific plan against bladed weapons, activated in 2023, resulted in the seizure of 1,999 bladed weapons in 2025, with 893 criminal offenses committed with these types of weapons. Additionally, hate crimes are also a concern, with 193 cases registered in Euskadi in 2025, most related to racism and xenophobia. The Ertzaintza has strengthened its digital tracking systems to detect hate speech and radicalization processes.
Environmental crimes are also gaining relevance, with 161 police reports in 2025, highlighting crimes against animals, which reached 90 cases. The Ertzaintza continues its technological and operational modernization, with the deployment of individual body cameras and the complete renewal of its air fleet.
