During a press conference on 9 June, the CSV cited the police force’s 2020 annual report, which saw the number of offences committed in the country breach 40,000 for the first time, although the increase isn’t put into relation with a growing population.

The CSV called for more police officers to be hired and for municipal agents--who issue parking fines, for example--to receive more powers, freeing up police for more serious cases.

Among its other demands are the expansion of CCTV use, bodycams for police officers and the introduction of tasers as police weapons for officers to be able to protect themselves better.

The party also suggested that undocumented criminals should be deported to their country of origin.

The press conference came after the fatal stabbing of a young man in Bonnevoie in January, reports of violent brawls in Luxembourg City’s Kinnekswiss park and a series of muggings where pedestrians had necklaces torn off or phones ripped from their hands by youths.

A youth detention facility in Dreiborn is overcrowded and underage offenders have had to be released for lack of other options, the public prosecutor’s office has said. A reform of juvenile justice is currently underway.

To help combat crime, the City of Luxembourg has contracted an external security firm to patrol the streets, although their powers are limited and they have been warned by the justice ministry for overstepping their remit.

Justice minister Sam Tanson (déi Gréng) in an interview with RTL responded to the CSV’s claims, saying that a number of reforms are in the works, including expanding the powers of municipal agents, the use of CCTV and new rules on body searches carried out by police.

The criminal justice system is doing its job, Tanson said. If offenders are released this was up to independent decisions by the justice system. It isn’t up to the ministry to decide who goes to prison, Tanson said.

Luxembourg and non-national offenders must be treated the same by the justice system, Tanson added, also praising the work of the police.

While the elections in 2023 are yet a while off, the CSV is building pressure on the matter and its new leadership, elected in April, presented a united front during the press conference. CSV delegates also supported the use of private security firms in the capital, being part of municipal council leadership.

Pushing for a tougher approach in fighting crime, the party at the same time urged for more prevention and social work.