Today, Friday 14 April, the RCIPS released its 2022 Crime and Traffic Statistics Report, and members of the Senior Command Team held a press conference to discuss the main developments and trends described in the statistics with the media.

Chief Officer of the Office of the Commissioner of Police, and Commissioner of Police, Derek Byrne, who led the panel said; “In 2022 the RCIPS returned to a normal state of policing and security operations, and the statistics reflect this. Although we saw an increase in acquisitive crime and firearm enabled crime in 2022 compared to 2021, when looking at the past five years, the numbers are in line with pre-pandemic years, and overall show a downward trend.  Overall, regarding crime, we saw on-going success in reducing the most serious criminal offences, and success in bringing some of our worst offenders to justice, ensuring that the Cayman Islands remain a safe place to live, work, visit and do business”.

Commissioner of Police, Derek Byrne

“Tragically there was a significant increase in road fatalities in 2022, with 14 incidents resulting in 15 deaths.  Over 2023, the RCIPS will refocus its road policing resources on the two major causes of traffic incidents: speeding and DUI, with a number of tactics and operations to be deployed. However, as a community we must also do better when driving on our roads, for the safety of all road users and those we carry as passengers in our vehicles.”

A sample of statistics from the 2022 report is included as follows:

 *   In total there were 3,810 recorded crimes in 2022. This equates to a small increase of 128 crimes (3.5%) in ‘total recorded crime’ in the 2022 year compared to 2021.
 *   There were 760 violent crimes in 2022, a reduction of 49 (6%) compared to 2021.  Four persons were murdered in 2022, compared to three in 2021.
 *   There was a total of 95 firearms crimes or firearm related crimes in 2022. A firearm was discharged in 26 of these. Over the course of 2022 the RCIPS recovered 16 firearms.
 *   There were 376 recorded crimes involving domestic violence in 2022, a reduction of 35 (9%) compared to 2021.
 *   There were 154 drugs offences recorded in 2022, a reduction of 11 (7%) compared to 2021.  Approximately 2915lbs/1322kg of ganja (valued at ~CI$2.9 million), and 123lbs/56kg cocaine (valued at ~CI$1.1 million) was recovered.
 *   There were 1,227 acquisitive crimes (burglary, robbery, theft, criminal trespass) recorded in 2022, an increase of 204 (20%) compared to 2021.
 *   The Traffic and Roads Policing Unit (TRPU) issued 9,437 tickets for traffic offences.  This is an increase of 340 tickets (4%) compared to 2021.  And there was a total of 234 summons for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offences, a decrease of 51 (-37%) compared to 2021.  Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA) attended by the TRPU increased by 282 (11%) compared to 2021, with a total of 15 road fatalities, an increase of six fatalities compared to 2021.

The full 2022 Crime and Traffic Statistics report and analysis is available here: https://www.rcips.ky/crime-info/crime-statistics/.