The year 2023 was marked by decreased gun-related offenses and an increase in gun seizures. The Police Executive says these numbers are proof of law enforcement’s commitment to improve the crime situation on-island.

“For the period of January 1st to November 30th 2023, we recorded a total of 15,000 cases of crime revealing a decrease in crime compared to the last year of 2022 which accounted for 17,000 cases,” Corporal Mathurin explained.

According to the Force, overall crime was reduced in 2023 by 13% compared to the previous year. Additionally, 16 of the 75 homicide cases have been cleared so far. The stats also disclosed that 37 of the murder cases for 2023 were a result of gang activity. The police also seized 109 firearms in 2023, an increase to the 71 collected in 2022. 94 of these illegal arms are lethal guns.

ACP Defreitas says the  Force is analysing the circumstances regarding some of 2023’s murders. 11 murders for 2023 were recorded in March when Vieux Fort experienced numerous gang-related reprisal killings. ACP Defreitas says the police will liaise with the appropriate legal authorities to close these cases.

“Added to the murders that were solved…there are 16 other murders that we have to look at very closely with a view to maybe having them closed. That will have to be in discussion with other partners like the Director of Public Prosecutions. We believe that some 16 of these murders, the perpetrators themselves are deceased,” he explained.

The Police also said a “Cold Case Unit” to investigate crimes where leads have dried up in the past years. According to the Executive, budgetary allocations have been made to add the needed manpower to that unit.