News

Today, 30 March, the RCIPS released its 2021 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 2021 the RCIPS had on-going success in reducing the most serious criminal offences, bringing offenders to justice and ensuring that the Cayman Islands remain a safe place to live, to work, to visit and to do business. In 2021, levels of recorded crime remained controlled and stable, and overall we found that we are returning to a consistently more normal state of policing and security operations.”

There was a small increase of 3.9% (140 crimes) in total recorded crime in the 2021 year compared to 2020, while the volumes of crime recorded in 2021 remained below the levels of 2019 - prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In addition, burglaries have continued to reduce annually with year on year reductions over the last five years.

During 2021, the Firearms Response Unit (FRU) deployed to 220 incidents that specifically required firearm officer support, and were involved in 80 planned operations or investigations as well as executing warrants, making arrests, and firearm recovery. It is of note that 66% of the weapon-related incidents responded to by the FRU involved a bladed weapon and 22% involved a firearm.  Officers also recovered over 1,590kg of ganja and 25.25kg of cocaine, with an estimated combined street value of CI$4 million.

The Traffic and Roads Policing Unit (TRPU) issued 9,097 tickets for traffic offences.  This is an increase of 1,446 tickets or 19% compared to 2020.  And there was a total of 312 summons for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offences, an increase of 84 or 37% compared to 2020.  Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA) attended by the TRPU increased by 466 or 22% compared to 2020, whereas 2021 saw a total of 9 road fatalities, the same number as 2020.

All statistics as well as a full report and analysis are available here, and the press conference can be viewed here