The Local Switzerland

Should parents in Switzerland be banned from smacking their children?

Mon, 13 Nov 2017 11:12:57 +0100

A group of Swiss citizens has launched a petition aiming to make it illegal under Swiss law for parents to slap or smack their children.

Zurich police to get ‘bodycams’ to tackle violence

Wed, 14 Dec 2016 10:08:28 +0100

Police in Zurich will be equipped with mini cameras from February 1st as part of a two-year pilot project.

Rising tensions spark rise in violence at asylum centres

Mon, 29 Aug 2016 13:20:08 +0200

Frustrations are spilling over in refugee centres in Switzerland causing an increasing number of confrontations between residents, according to figures reported by the Sunday papers.

Bern renews funding for controversial arts centre

Fri, 27 May 2016 13:08:36 +0200

An alternative arts centre in Bern has been granted a reprieve after authorities in the city agreed a 1.5 million franc grant to keep it going until 2019.

Police clash with violent protesters in Bern

Mon, 23 May 2016 10:18:28 +0200

An illegal party in the Swiss capital spiralled into a violent protest march that saw hundreds of youths slinging rocks and vandalising property throughout the city, police said on Sunday.

Crime rate highest in Geneva: report

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 09:00:00 +0100

Switzerland was a safer place last year with fewer crimes committed overall, but the west of the country bucked the trend.

Asylum seeker 'was attacked by Swiss policeman'

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:01:25 +0100

A 29-year-old asylum seeker from Tunisia was attacked in Therwil, Basel, earlier this month, leaving him in need of surgery on his hand.

Police chief casts doubt on Swiss cup final future

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 18:28:00 +0200

The final of the Swiss football cup may no longer be held in Bern after a police chief expressed his exasperation at clashes in the streets surrounding Monday’s final at the Stade de Suisse.

Zurich May Day rally turns violent

Wed, 02 May 2012 18:10:00 +0200

A May Day rally in Zurich turned violent on Tuesday as a group of youths set fire to rubbish bins and pelted police with bottles and stones, drawing teargas and water-cannon fire in response.

Football fan loses fingers in firecracker blast

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:13:39 +0100

As FC Zurich players struggled at Lazio’s stadium in Rome on Thursday, panic swept the stands of the Swiss supporters when a firecracker exploded in the hands of a fan.

Switzerland set to get tough on hooligans

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:09:59 +0200

Swiss authorities are preparing to implement tough measures to prevent violence among hooligans from rival football teams.

Chef shot village band 'to stop the noise'

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:35:39 +0200

A Swiss chef has admitted shooting plastic bullets at a band playing in a village square, after he became fed up with the late-night noise.

Immigrant women 'need protection'

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:03:00 +0200

A new report says Switzerland is not doing enough to protect immigrant women from domestic violence.

Swiss consider electronic tags for violent husbands

Tue, 31 May 2011 13:04:00 +0200

The Swiss parliament is considering forcing violent husbands to wear an electronic tag, allowing authorities to check they don’t go too close to their wives.

Policeman shot dead during eviction

Tue, 24 May 2011 15:09:00 +0200

A 35-year-old unemployed man shot dead one policeman and injured another in the small town of Schafhausen in Emmental on Tuesday morning, after they tried to evict him.

Zurich May Day demo largely peaceful

Mon, 02 May 2011 12:38:47 +0200

No major disturbances were reported when left-wing demonstrators took to the streets of Zurich for May Day, despite the arrest of 500 people.