Serious Crime Decreased by 21% in 2023

On April 15, 2024, Commissioner Clayton Fernander delivered his Meet the Press Statement on the State of Crime throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas for the period 2022/2023. Overall serious crime as well as crime against the person and property recorded notable declines for the period in review.
Preliminary figures for 2023 indicate that major crimes decreased by 21% with 3,153 cases, compared to 3,979 in 2022. There were regional decreases in New Providence and Grand Bahama and the Northern Bahamas at rates of 23% and 15% respectively, compared to 2022. The rate of crime in the Family Islands District remain unchanged when compared to 2022.

Crimes against the property decreased by 19% with 2,356 incidents, compared to 2,907 in 2022. There were regional decreases in crimes against the property across the board for 2023 at rates of 22% in New Providence, 10% in Grand Bahama and 4% in the Family Islands District. Crimes against the person decreased by 26%, with 797 incidents, compared to 1,072 in 2022. There were regional decreases at rates of 27% in New Providence and 35% in Grand Bahama. Crimes against the person in the Family Islands District increased by 33%.

Homicides decreased by 14% with 110 incidents, compared to 128 in 2022. There were 106 murders in New Providence, 3 in Grand Bahama and 1 in the Family Islands District, with an overall solvency rate of 65%. Victims between the ages of 18 and 45 represent 89% of all homicides. Retaliation, gang and conflict were the most common motives for murder, representing 65% collectively. Based on preliminary figures, homicides were more likely to occur on a Saturday and Sunday than any other day of the week. Homicides were more prevalent in the Southern, Southeastern and Southern Divisions, accounting for 41% of the overall total. Firearms were used in the commission of 98 homicides and fatal gunshot wounds remain the leading cause of death in these matters.

Armed Robberies decreased by 34% with 368 incidents, compared to 555 in 2022. Armed robberies were more prevalent in the Southwestern and Southeastern Divisions, accounting for 37% of the overall total. Based on preliminary figures, armed robberies were more likely to occur on a Thursday and Sunday than any other day of the week and these incidents peak between the hours of 5pm and 11pm. Most armed robberies occurred at the street level, residences and at businesses respectively. Firearms continue to be the weapon of choice for the commission of armed robberies. Notably, there were 171 vehicles taken in the commission of armed robbery incidents for 2023. Twelve percent of vehicles taken during armed robberies were recovered. Males represent the highest percentage of victims of armed robbery at 60%, compared to female victims at 40%.

Robberies decreased by 44% with 70 incidents, compared to 124 in 2022. Robberies were more prevalent in the Central, Southeastern and South Central Divisions, accounting for 50% of the overall total. Based on preliminary figures, robberies were more likely to occur on a Friday and Sunday than any other day of the week and these incidents peak between the hours of 8am and 4pm. Males represent the highest percentage of victims at 67%, compared to female victims at 33%.

Stolen vehicles decreased by 22% with 257 incidents, compared to 330 in 2022. Nissans were the most targeted vehicles of choice, representing 36% of all vehicles stolen. The Nissan Note and March were the predominant models stolen, while residences were the most targeted locations. Stolen vehicles were mostly reported in the Southwestern Division, accounting for 15% of the overall total. Thirty-six percent of all stolen vehicles in 2023 were recovered.
Stealing from vehicles decreased by 38% with 253 incidents, compared to 410 in 2022. The most frequent items stolen included cash, cellular phones, and personal effects. Nissan Notes were mostly targeted, with Honda Accords trending close behind. Based on preliminary figures, stealing from vehicles were more likely to occur on a Saturday than any other day of the week. Stealing from vehicle cases were mostly reported in the South Central Division, accounting for 18% of recorded cases.

Housebreakings decreased by 27% with 372 incidents, compared to 507 in 2022. The New Providence District accounted for 254 or 68% of all housebreakings, most of which occurred in the Southwestern Division, accounting for 19% of all cases. Grand Bahama, including Abaco and Bimini, accounted for 59 or 16% of housebreakings, most of which occurred in Abaco and the Southwestern Divisions, accounting for 36 incidents. The Family Islands District accounted for 59 or 16%, most of which occurred in Andros with 21 incidents.

Shopbreakings decreased by 28% with 375 incidents, compared to 524 in 2022. The New Providence District accounted for 239 or 64% of all shopbreakings, most of which occurred in the Northeastern Division, accounting for 15% of all cases. Grand Bahama, including Abaco and Bimini, accounted for 62 or 17% of shopbreakings, most of which occurred in the Central and Abaco Divisions, accounting for 31 incidents. The Family Islands District accounted for 74 or 20%, most of which occurred in Eleuthera, Exuma and Andros with a collective 54 incidents. Based on preliminary figures, shopbreakings were more likely to occur on a Saturday than any other day of the week.

For the period in review, a total of 355 firearms and 8,995 rounds of ammunition were discovered and/or seized throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. As a result, 474 persons were charged with possession of illegal firearms. Additionally, ShotSpotter detected a total of 1,357 gunshot incidents, consisting of 789 multiple shots, 441 single shots and 127 probable shot incidents, totaling 4,989 rounds discharged.

Notably, the officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force conducted 16,406 field check patrols, 45,655 stop and search profiles, 683 road checks and 668 search warrants throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. As a result of these efforts, 16,950 persons were arrested for various major and minor offences. Of this number, 11,516 persons were charged and placed before the Court, representing a 69% charge rate. This figure represents a 16% increase over 2022 when 9,918 persons charged. There were 5,101 court returns from the Magistrates Court including 3,477 convictions, 23 cases were discharged due to the defendant’s death, 159 cases were acquitted at the end of trial, 963 cases were discharged by the court and 479 cases were withdrawn by the virtual complainant.