The Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force today (Thursday 27th April 2017) has release the 2016/2017 Crime Stats.
In his presentation, Mr. James Smith stated, “There’s no doubt that our over overall crime data continues to head in the right direction, however the increasing propensity for criminals to use violence and firearms is, and has always been a top priority and is a serious concern. It is a trend that my officers are working hard to reverse, that is why we have invested in specialist equipment, new technology and seek to acquire further kit to assist us. The current budget settlement will allow us to recruit additional officers and promote others from within our existing officers. We are using this opportunity to recruit experienced, specialist officers to fill the most critical skills gaps in our Criminal Investigations Department, Cyber Crime, Tactical Unit and Marine Officers.”
Commissioner also stated that it is the root causes of these crimes that needs tackling. Such as the large numbers of undocumented individuals living in illegal and unregulated housing, along with a need to strengthen our borders must remain a priority for all of us living and working the TCI. We need to stem the flow of those intent on coming to our country to cause harm and restrict their ability to bring in illegal drugs and firearms. We must gain control of our roads network through better regulation and the full implementation of a National CCTV network and deny the criminals the freedom to move around unchallenged.
Crime Stats for 2016/2017
Analysis rom Main Data
- All Crime down this year by 14%
- A total of 2,626 crime reported for all islands
- Last year there were 3,068 crimes reported for all islands
- Means 442 less victims this year
- Detection rate of 23%-1% less than last year
In the last two years crime overall in TCI has
- Fallen by 21%
- So 704 less victims in two years
Main Categories:
Burglary and Aggravated Burglary-There was a
- Total of 703 Burglaries and Aggravated Burglaries this year
- A decrease of 159 crimes or
- 18% down for last year
Within that there were
- 45 Aggravated Burglaries this year
- An increase of 19 for the year
Drugs Offences
We recorded a
- Total of 97 cases of persons in possession of Drugs
- An Increase of 21 cases
- An increase in detections of 28%
In terms of Possession of Drugs with intent to supply
- We detected 24 cases
- An increase of 4 detections Murder
- There were seven Murders last year
- A decrease of one from 2015/2016 total of Eight
- We detected 6 of these murders
Firearms Offences
- There were 126 firearms offences this year
- 26 less offences than last year
Robberies
- There were 134 offences this year
- An Increase of 132 offences from last year
- 130 of these took place on Providenciales
- 96 of these Robberies involved the use of a firearm
- Some involved more than one individual with a firearm takin the number of firearms used to commit Robbery to 111.
Arrests
- During the year we have arrested a total of 521 persons
- From that number 271 have been charged and put before the courts in connection with the offences contained in this report.
- Within the numbers of those arrested and charges he large majority remain “local males” at 150 persons within the number of “alien males” recorded as being arrested at 98.
- Local and Alien females make up the remainder with only two tourists being arrested in the year.
We know the challenges ahead but we are striving for continuous improvement and seek the continued support of the Government and our Government partners to keep the country safe. Most of all, we rely on the active support and engagement of citizens and visitors to help us in our job and take responsibility for their part in reducing crime and identifying offenders.