Crime in Lithuania

Crime is conduct that Lithuanian criminal law treats as punishable. Minor disputes, administrative violations, and crimes are not all handled in the same way, even when they may appear similar to an ordinary person. Common concerns include theft, burglary, robbery, assault, domestic violence, property damage, scams, identity misuse, and online fraud. Crime can affect residents, visitors, businesses, and public institutions. The Lithuanian police, locally called policija, receive reports, protect people, gather evidence, and investigate many offenses. Prosecutors direct or supervise criminal proceedings, and courts decide guilt and legal consequences. Call 112 when a crime is happening, someone is in immediate danger, urgent medical help is needed, or a rapid police response may prevent harm. A past incident without an immediate threat can normally be reported through a regular police reporting channel. A person reporting crime should explain what happened, where and when it happened, who was involved, and whether anyone remains at risk. Photos, messages, receipts, account records, witness details, and descriptions of stolen property may be useful evidence. Victims can ask what will happen next, how to provide more evidence, and what support or protection may be available. Children, people facing domestic abuse, trafficking victims, and other vulnerable people may need specialized assistance. Digital crime often begins with urgent messages, false payment requests, fake sales, stolen passwords, or callers pretending to represent a trusted organization. Independent verification and strong account security are important because transferred money or exposed information can be difficult to recover. Police action cannot guarantee that property will be recovered or that every case will lead to a conviction. Reporting still creates an official record, preserves options, and may help identify repeated offending.