Speaking at the judicial authority’s New Year’s reception last week, State Prosecutor General Martine Solovieff highlighted the challenges facing Luxembourg’s justice system, citing understaffing as a key issue that forces judicial authorities to prioritise serious offences while closing investigations into less severe crimes.
Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer expressed concern over the situation during a press briefing on Tuesday. “If two-thirds of the cases are closed without action, I’m sorry, but then we can no longer speak of the rule of law,” she stated. Polfer also announced that she had requested an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister to address “the reality of insecurity in the Gare neighbourhood.”
The police confirmed that they accept all complaints filed by residents and investigate them in accordance with legal procedures. In a written response to an RTL interview request, the police stated, “We do not differentiate between petty and serious crime, and the decision to prosecute lies outside our jurisdiction.” However, an interview with the Director of the Luxembourg Police was not granted.
The police have expressed support for initiatives aimed at streamlining procedures to improve public safety and reduce the burden on the courts. They emphasised the need for legal certainty through “new measures to prevent threats and guarantee freedoms,” while ensuring the judiciary can focus on “the most essential aspects of law enforcement.”
The Luxembourg National Police Union (SNPGL) has echoed the call for action, urging increased recruitment to the police force. The union noted that “every police officer is an investigator,” even though the term is formally reserved for the criminal investigation department.
