Police credit planning, intel for slight drop in crime

The Barbados Police Service (BPS) has reported a four-per cent drop in overall crime, attributing the modest decline to a more intelligence-led policing strategy that has also resulted in a major rise in firearm seizures.

Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce outlined measurable gains in 2025 across several key categories in a speech to the force’s Annual Grand Conference at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Tuesday.

Murders declined by two per cent, residential burglaries decreased by seven per cent, thefts from motor vehicles declined by 26 per cent, and theft of motor vehicles reduced three per cent – resulting in a four per cent overall reduction in reported crime. Total offences decreased from 6 301 in 2024 to 6 063 last year.

Significant progress was also recorded in firearm seizures: police seized 84 firearms and 3 339 rounds of ammunition, compared to 71 firearms and 857 rounds in 2024. “These results reflect strengthened enforcement capabilities, improved intelligence coordination and sustained operational focus on disrupting illegal firearms trade,” the police chief said.

The results stemmed from a six-point policing strategy introduced in 2025 to address rising crime while modernising the service’s operational capacity, according to Commissioner Boyce.

“The rise in firearm-related violence underscored the need for sustained, coordinated and intelligence-driven intervention, not only to enhance public safety but also to preserve confidence in Barbados as a secure and stable society.”

He stressed that as criminal activity evolves, law enforcement must also adapt.

“We have expanded the use of body-worn cameras, dashboard cameras and enhanced CCTV coverage to strengthen transparency and accountability. We are leveraging speech-to-text digital note-taking and advanced intelligence analysis to more effectively identify and target high-risk areas.”

Central to that transformation, he said, was the continued development of the Police Records Management Information System (PRMIS).

“By digitising records and streamlining access to information, PRMIS supports real-time decision-making at every level, from strategic command to frontline response, and strengthens our intelligence-led approach.”

While pointing to the gains, Boyce acknowledged ongoing challenges.

“The past year saw increases in robberies, influenced in part by youth involvement and the ongoing threat posed by firearm-related offences. St Michael, Christ Church and St Philip continue to record comparatively higher crime levels.”

He noted that while major crimes account for a smaller proportion of overall reports, minor offences dominate, with assaults and woundings representing 17 per cent of reported crimes in 2025.

Youth intervention remains central to the service’s prevention strategy.

“By prioritising early intervention among youth aged 11 to 16 and targeted initiatives such as the King’s Trust International Programme, we are equipping at-risk youth with life skills, mentorship and constructive alternatives. These efforts remain central to our long-term crime prevention strategy.”

Road safety also remains a concern. There were 17 road deaths in 2025.

Police responded to 840 crashes last year, compared to 4,472 in 2024, “reflecting the implementation of a non-attendance policy for minor non-injury collisions”, said the commissioner. “This adjustment has enabled more efficient deployment of resources, allowing officers to focus on serious road safety concerns and critical crime-fighting priorities.”

Despite the progress, the service is still short of its full complement by about 250 officers, Commissioner Boyce said.“Recruitment remains a priority to maintain a strong and effective frontline presence. We seek individuals who will serve as ambassadors of this organisation, men and women who embody integrity, courage, discipline and respect for human rights.”

In 2025, the BPS welcomed 47 new officers and 28 special constables, designated 271 senior constables to strengthen supervisory capacity, and transitioned 26 members of the Special Constabulary to police constables. Thirty officers also completed an international middle management training programme in partnership with Durham Constabulary in the north of England..

Commissioner Boyce also acknowledged the historic appointment of Acting Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce as the first female to hold that office, describing it as a sign of institutional progress in the 191-year-old constabulary.

But the commissioner cautioned that Barbados remains exposed to global criminal threats.

“As a small island developing state, Barbados is not insulated from global threats, cyber-enabled offences, firearm and narcotics trafficking, human trafficking and gang activity. Our size does not diminish these risks; in some respects, it emphasises them.”

“Accordingly, we must be deliberate and strategic, combining strong enforcement with intelligence-led operations and strengthening our engagement with the communities we serve.”