2024 Police Statistics Reveal Crime Down 10%

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Overall crime saw a 10 percent drop last year when compared to the 2023 crime statistics, but there was also a noticeable increase in unlawful sexual intercourse, attempted armed robberies, and murders.

Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles releasing the crime statistics during a press conference at Police Headquarters today. She says a common motive continues to be behind recent murders.

“ Retaliation, gang, and conflict continue to trend as the most common motives for murder,” says Knowles.

She revealed murders climbed by 9%, with 120 incidents recorded compared to 110 in 2023.

105 of those homicides occurred in New Providence, 12 in Grand Bahama, and three in the Family Islands. 

Victims between the ages of 18 and 45 years old account for 78% of all homicides, while guns continue to be the weapon of choice for killers.

“ We were able to seize 421 illegal firearms and 29,012 rounds of ammunition in 2024,” says, the commissioner.

There was also a decrease of attempted murder cases, which dropped by 11%, while manslaughter dropped by 67%.

On the other hand, unlawful sexual intercourse climbed by 5% and attempted armed robbery increased by 29%. 

When it comes to armed robberies, Commissioner Knowles says they “decreased by 28%, with 265 incidents compared to 368 in 2023. Most armed robberies occurred at street level. At our residence and business respectively, firearms continue to be the weapon of choice.”

And there’s more, crimes against persons fell by 13%, with 696 incidents compared to 797.

Crimes against property dropped by 10%, with 2,112 incidents compared to 2,356  compared to 2023. 

Housebreakings decreased by 11% shop breaking dropped by 16% and stealing by vehicles by 16%.

Knowles credited the tireless work of officers saying it played a major part in clamping down on crime, saying:

“ By our sheer police presence on the street, we remove the opportunity for criminals to rob individuals and invade homes and business establishments. There is still room for improvement, and we intend to double down on our productivity benchmarks to exceed expectation in 2025.”