Commissioner Anthony Ferguson presented the 2019 Annual Crime Statistics during the 'Meet The Press' Event at the Paul Farquharson Conference Center, Police Headquarters.

Present were his Senior Leadership Team and other senior officers, members of the media in New Providence as well as officers and the media in the Family Islands connected via video conference.

He opened his presentation by giving special thanks and appreciation to the officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force for their stellar performance over the years.

Preliminary crime figures for 2019 compared to last year revealed that following: overall crime in the Bahamas has decreased by 7%. Violent crimes increased by 1%. While crime against the property decreased by 9%. In New Providence, Grand Bahama and Family Islands crimes decreased by 6%, 10% and 8% respectively.

Commissioner Ferguson also reported that murder is less than 100. He said that the police will not become complacent but will "be more vigilant in our efforts to further reduce this crime". Overall the incidents of Murder increased by 4% with 95 incidents compared to 91 in 2018.

He added that there are too many illegal firearms on the streets of the Bahamas and the police will continue to pursue offenders of the laws. In 2019, 359 firearms and over 11,000 ammunition were recovered compared to 285 firearms and 6,000 ammunition in 2018.

During the year, a total of 1,035 persons were trained: 536 police officers, 101 correctional officers, 23 customs officers, 28 Immigration Officers, 34 security officers and 177 members of the National Neighborhood Watch Council (NNWC). Of this total 128 were trained internationally and 15 via online learning management system.

He closed by focusing on traffic related deaths; there were 57 traffic-related deaths in 2019 compared to 69 traffic deaths; a 17% decreased.

WATCH ON FACEBOOK

See Photos Here- Meet The Press