Turkey's Interior Ministry announced yesterday that property crime decreased 25.6 percent in the first 11 months of this year compared to the same period in 2017. The crimes included in this category cover theft, pickpocketing, carjacking and purse snatching.

Figures show the daily average of 262 home burglaries decreased to 183 daily this year. The ministry credits a tougher crackdown on crime such as nationwide, simultaneous "peace" operations where security forces set up checkpoints in unannounced hours or raid places where criminals might be hiding out, such as abandoned buildings. "Night watchmen," a police unit introduced again last year after it was scrapped years ago, are also credited with improved security.

The Interior Ministry also reported a 6.6 percent increase in the number of solved cases for crimes relating to property.