Spike in domestic violence despite drop in serious crime

espite a two per cent decline in serious crimes in 2023, The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) has reported a concerning spike in domestic violence incidents, according to Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce.

Providing updated crime statistics during TBPS’ Annual Grand Conference at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Wednesday, Commissioner Boyce said that while there was a reduction in major crimes, the rise in domestic incidents, particularly those of a violent nature, has been a worrying development.

Last year, there were 572 reported cases of domestic violence, compared to 471 cases in 2022, a 21 per cent increase, Boyce said.

Assaults and wounding accounted for more than half – 55 per cent – of the total number of domestic violence cases.

Although laws are in place to address domestic violence and protect victims, there is no evidence suggesting an abatement of these complaints based on the figures, the police chief said.

“There will be a greater effort to stem this tide of violence, as we relook our methods of interventions, in association with the appropriate social agencies,” Boyce declared.

While major crimes saw a two per cent reduction, the top cop acknowledged that 2023 was a mixed year, with minor crimes rising by almost 10 per cent. But, the number of murders was slashed in half – 21 slayings in 2023 compared to 43 in 2022.

“Minor crimes in 2023 stood at 5 403, while in 2022 that figure was 4 765, thus realising an overall increase in both categories of crime ofseven per cent,” Boyce said.

The proliferation of firearms remained a concern, with 84 firearms confiscated in 2023 compared to 143 in 2022. Regardingammunition, 1 655 rounds were seized in 2023, compared to 2 030 in 2022.

On a positive note, the police’s community projects, particularly their caravans in and around the Bridgetown area, have received positive feedback from residents, according to Boyce.

“One such intervention resulted in the staging of police caravans in the Bridgetown and Southern division, thus allowing residents in those areas to have access to police services in a more timely and effective manner. This intervention resulted in a significant level of greater reassurance in the police service, and, most importantly, to reduce the fear of becoming victims of crime. There was also a noticeable reduction in criminal activities in these areas. This intervention was thoroughly embraced by the residents who asked that the caravans be kept in the identified locations. We are committed to this level of intervention as long as it is feasibly possible to do so.”

The police service’s recruitment drive for new officers has also been going well but still fell short of the numbers needed, Boyce said.

“We have seen some positive results in this endeavour over the past year, but not in the numbers that would make us comfortable.

We are still 268 officers short, and as a consequence, we will be relaunching our recruitment drive very soon to get more officers into the service.”