(The Valley, Anguilla) – The Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF) has release its annual comparative statistics for the period (January to December) of 2019 and the period January to December 2018. Overall, the number of actual crimes reported have reduced by 26% (from 779 to 579 crimes for the period), with an increase of 11% in ‘brought to justice’ crimes. There has been a significant reduction in overall crime for 2019 due to the different strategies employed by the RAPF, such as, ongoing proactive policing and intelligence led policing. This also led to a reduction in acquisitive crimes; crime has reduced year on year since 2016.
A comparison of both periods shows that acquisitive crime figures for 2019 have reduced by 30% from 244 in 2018 to 172 crimes in 2019. Burglary remains a high priority crime with only (6) six less than the same period in 2018. However, there has been a 3% increase in the detection rate of burglary, thus leading to a total 21% which is below the targeted rate of 27%.
Serious crime figures over the period show an increase by 5%. Further, there has been a significant increase in the detection rate by 11%, resulting in a detection rate of 88%. There was a notable reduction in robberies by 40% compared to same period in 2018 (from 15 robberies in 2018 to 9 robberies in 2019). The RAPF continues to make gun crime a priority and consequently has had several successes in seizures of firearms and ammunition over the period. The reporting of sexual offences continues to rise (from 17 crimes to 22 crimes for the same period in 2018). This is considered notable and demonstrates that victims are more comfortable coming forward as a result of the new processes put in place. The 5% increase in recorded serious crime relates to increase seizures of illegal firearms and ammunition.
Although one murder is considered too many, statistical data over the past two years showed a reduction by 40%, from 5 crimes in 2018 to 3 crimes in 2019. There has been an increase in the detection rate of Murder by 7% from 60% in 2018 to 67% in 2019 for the same period. We are extremely conscious of the fact that each statistic is a victim, however, each murder statistic is a life.
In keeping with the Police Strategic Plan and keeping the people of Anguilla safe, the Major Crime Unit embarked in a number of raids. Several warrants were executed which led to the increase in attributed and unattributed crimes relating to Firearms and Ammunitions by 50%, from 18 crimes in 2018 to 27 crimes in 2019 which gives a difference of 9 crimes. There has been a 2% increase in the detection rate of Firearms related offences, from 94% in 2018 to 96% in 2019 for the same period. The Royal Anguilla Force remains committed in protecting the community of Anguilla and will continue to perform their duties at the highest of standards.
Other notable statistics in the year 2019 are:
– 327 persons arrested and detained according to electronic custody records
– 3457 Incidents responded to by the Police following public calls for assistance
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The Commissioner of Police Mr. Paul Morrison takes this opportunity to convey thanks and appreciation to all officers and other staff of the RAPF for their commitment and hard work. The monitoring of Crime performance coupled with having a very robust crime recording regime played a major role in the success achieved by the RAPF in the third quarter. As mentioned by Commissioner of Police, Paul Morrison, the reduction in crime requires an overall team effort. We want to thank you the citizens of Anguilla for fostering this partnership.
The Commissioner expresses thanks to the people of Anguilla for their continued support in the fight against crime. God bless the RAPF and God Bless Anguilla.