Interior Ministry reported that 17 597 cases of economic crime were registered in 2006 and damages incurred totaled 1.6 billion leva.

Police resolved 10 872 cases.

In 134 cases officials received bribes and 53 people were detained for money forgery, Focus news agency reported.

Criminal offenses in public places reached 48 580 in 2006, representing nearly 40 per cent of the crime committed in the country in 2006. The number of such offenses decreased by 1 764 as compared to figures for 2005.

Overall, the number of criminal offenses decreased by 1.5 per cent in comparison to data for 2005.

The total number of offenses reached 121 712, out of which 70 233 cases have been resolved. Drug related crime is on the rise.