Danish police handle rape, violence, and stalking cases unevenly across regions

A new report by Denmark’s national audit office, Rigsrevisionen, reveals significant regional disparities in how police investigate serious crimes, including rape, nightlife violence, and stalking, DR reports.

The findings prompted State Auditor Monika Rubin (Moderate Party) to state on Tuesday that she “would rather be raped in Copenhagen than on Funen,” criticising what she called the police’s “highly unsatisfactory” practices.

The audit shows that police in some districts routinely classify cases under lesser charges with lower penalties, fewer investigative steps, and looser deadlines—particularly for rape, assault, and stalking. The extent of this practice varies widely depending on where in Denmark the crime is reported.

Rape cases downgraded despite clear rules
Danish police are only permitted to register rape cases as preliminary “investigation files”—which carry fewer procedural requirements—in “exceptional circumstances.” Yet between 2019 and mid-2025, 1,692 rape reports (12% nationally) were logged this way, with Funen Police recording 25%—more than double the national average.

Rigsrevisionen called the persistent misuse “serious,” noting that since 2015, authorities have aimed to eliminate this practice. Lise Vibe-Pedersen, Funen Police’s chief of staff, told DR the force would tighten procedures but claimed the classification “makes no difference to the victim.”

Nightlife violence often recorded as public disturbance
Of 8,029 reported nightlife assaults in the same period, 29% were logged as minor “public order” offences rather than violent crimes. In Southeast Jutland, the figure reached 38%, compared to 21% in North Zealand.

The audit found police officers nationwide admitted to downgrading cases “because their leadership demanded it.” Rigsrevisionen urged the Justice Ministry to examine whether some districts systematically underplay nighttime violence.

Stalking rarely prosecuted under new law
Despite a 2022 legal reform introducing harsher penalties for stalking (defined as persistent, unwanted harassment), 81% of 8,990 related reports from 2019–2025 were filed as minor “warning” cases. In Copenhagen, the rate hit 92%, versus 57% in Mid- and West Zealand.

The audit revealed that Copenhagen Police’s internal guidelines had explicitly encouraged officers to issue warnings instead of criminal charges.

Thomas Skou Roer, a police researcher at Copenhagen Professionshøjskole, called the regional inconsistencies “deeply concerning,” suggesting some police leaders prioritise “performance targets over citizens’ needs.”

The report forms part of a broader Rigsrevisionen review of police handling of both violent and economic crimes, based on thousands of case files, internal documents, and a survey of 4,117 officers.