The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

MAJOR crime fell six percent in the first half of the year, driven by sharp declines in vehicle theft, shopbreakings and other property offences, even as armed robberies surged 25 percent and crimes against the person increased, according to Royal Bahamas Police Force statistics.

Preliminary figures covering January through June show 1,153 major crimes were recorded, down from 1,223 during the same period last year.

The figures were published on the RBPF’s website rather than presented at a typical mid-year press conference.

Crime declined in every region, with the Family Islands recording the largest reduction at 23 percent. Major crime fell ten percent in Grand Bahama and the Northern Bahamas and three percent in New Providence.

Property crime declined nine percent, from 961 incidents during the first half of 2025 to 847 this year.

However, crimes against the person increased from 262 to 279. Although murders and attempted murders declined, increases in armed robbery, rape and unlawful sexual intercourse contributed to the rise.

Murders fell 14 percent, from 44 during the first half of last year to 38 this year.

New Providence accounted for 29 killings, Grand Bahama six and the Family Islands three. Police reported an overall homicide clearance rate of 58 percent.

People between 18 and 45 accounted for 79 percent of homicide victims, while retaliation, drug activity and personal conflict accounted for 45 percent of known motives.

“Based on preliminary figures,” the report said, “homicides were more likely to occur on a Friday than any other day of the week.”

The Southeastern Division accounted for 16 percent of homicides.

Firearms were used in 28 killings and males accounted for 95 percent of homicide victims.

While killings declined, armed robberies rose sharply, increasing 25 percent from 76 incidents during the first six months of last year to 95 this year.

The Southwestern Division accounted for 24 percent of armed robberies. Police said the offences were most likely to occur on Saturdays and peaked between 8pm and midnight, with firearms remaining the weapon most frequently used.

Twenty-seven vehicles were taken during armed robberies, and police recovered 63 percent of them. Male victims accounted for 72 percent of armed robbery cases.

Robberies that did not involve firearms fell marginally from 32 to 31.

Some of the steepest reductions were recorded among property offences.

Vehicle theft declined 45 percent, from 236 incidents during the first half of 2025 to 129 this year. Nissan vehicles, including the Note and Cube, remained the most frequently targeted and accounted for 57 percent of stolen vehicles.

Police recovered 53 percent of all stolen vehicles.

Shopbreakings fell 28 percent, from 140 cases to 101, while housebreakings declined 16 percent, from 87 to 73.

However, stealing increased from 394 incidents to 430. Tools, cash, mechanical parts, building supplies and cellular phones were among the items most frequently stolen.

Stealing from vehicles also increased, from 92 incidents last year to 122 this year.

The statistics also reveal the scale of police enforcement activity during the six-month period.

Officers conducted 77,028 stop-and-search profiles throughout The Bahamas, along with 17,368 field check patrols and 4,186 road checks.

Police also executed 1,993 arrest warrants and 1,894 search warrants.

A total of 7,503 people were arrested for major and minor offences, with 5,827 charged and brought before the courts, representing a 78 percent charge rate.

Police seized 129 firearms and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition, resulting in 408 arrests and 106 charges.

ShotSpotter technology detected 481 gunshot incidents.

The RBPF also reported 2,602 charge returns, including 1,847 counts resulting in convictions.

Another 364 counts were discharged by the courts, 342 were withdrawn by virtual complainants and 42 ended in acquittals after trial. Seven counts were discharged because the defendants had died.