Traffic incidents a major concern

The RCIPS issued its new look Annual Crime and Traffic Statistics Report for 2024, which showed recorded crime increased by 272 or 7% in 2024 compared to 2023. There were increases in most areas of crime, with 4,218 crimes recorded in total in 2024, with the exception of violence against the person and firearms crime. The increases were mainly linked to acquisitive crime (burglary etc.), drugs offences, as well as public order and sexual offences, ICT offences and property damage.

The stand-out figure from the report, however, was the 34,934 traffic incidents reported (roughly 95 per day) which resulted in 3,253 motor vehicle accidents (roughly 9 per day), which in turn caused 48 people to be killed or seriously injured. 281 people were found to be driving under the influence.

Out of the 4,218 crimes recorded, the RCIPS made 2,398 arrests. Crimes included 743 violence against the person, 1,519 acquisitive (burglaries, etc.), and 835 public order crimes, while 15 firearms were recovered and more than $3m worth of drugs were seized/recovered.

Another worrying statistic to emerge was the high level of domestic violence referrals, at 1,787 (just under 5 per day) and 2,203 child safeguarding referrals into protective services (6 per day).

While violence against the person reduced in 2024, this was mainly linked to higher volume but lower level harm of common assault and assault ABH. Just over 50% of violence against the person offences were domestic related, while 14% involved a weapon, specifically a firearm or a blade. 58% of violent crimes were detected. However, serious violence increased in 2024 by 62% to 68 offences compared to 42 in 2023 and 58 in 2022.  The report acknowledged that serious violence was a high harm crime and had significant impact on the community. Within serious violence, the most significant offences were 4 murders and 14 attempted murders of which 7 related to the single incident at the Ed Bush Stadium in February 2024. Domestic violence formed part of serious violence (21%) however overall the key themes were related to the night-time economy, the use of alcohol or drugs and gang related, including in retaliation for other incidents. Other issues related to the use of weapons, particularly firearms and knifes or machetes. While 38% of serious violent crimes were detected, currently 40% remained active crime and subject to on-going investigations.

Sexual offences increased in 2024, mainly associated with the increase in the number of rape offences as well as smaller increases in indecent exposure. In the majority of these offences, the offender was known to the victim. Analysis showed there were no patterns or series regarding stranger attacks within the Islands. 33% of crimes were detected, currently 40% remained active crime and subject to on-going investigations.

George Town had the highest proportion of incidents with 51% having occurred in the district, influenced by walk-in reports to George Town police station and traffic summons as part of proactive police activity.

Commissioner of Police Kurt Walton said the new look report they had created for 2024 was taking more of an international approach to communicating crime numbers, which saw detection rates included for the first time.

“This measure provides a benchmark which we can compare against year on year, and demonstrates accountability and transparency of the work of the RCIPS to the community we serve,” he said.

Commissioner Walton called the Ed Bush Stadium shooting incident, in February last year, “a watershed moment in the history of the Cayman Islands” which resulted in seven people being injured.

“It was a miracle there were no fatalities,” he stated. “This event, combined with gang tensions in the first four months of the year, has led to an increase in our serious violence figures. However, as a counter to that, firearm crime reduced by 21% in 2024, which demonstrates the priority I placed on tackling the scourge of firearm-related crime in our community.”

Commissioner Walton noted that traffic and road policing continued to be “a challenge”, and he called the fourteen road fatalities that occurred in 2024  “a devastating reminder of the significant harm that can occur on our roads.”

He continued: “The RCIPS is working with the government and agency partners, to develop and deliver long term solutions that will improve our roads, as part of the National Road Safety Strategy. However, as a community we must do our part and improve our driving behaviour.”

The Commissioner said that although 2024 presented challenges, they had also seen many successes, including securing prosecutions in multiple high-profile criminal cases, resulting in lengthy custodial sentences for serious crimes, including murder and sexual offences.

“As we move through 2025 and beyond, the RCIPS will continue to focus on delivering the policing priorities laid out in our Strategic Policing Plan 2024 - 2026, while working with our communities, for our communities, towards making the Cayman Islands safer,” he said.