YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME |
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Statistics provided by the Royal St. Vincent & the Grenadines Police Force for the period 2012-2023 indicate an overall pattern of decline in crime over the period but shows increases 2021-2023. 17 The table below indicates the overall figures.
OVERALL FIGURES FROM 2012 TO 2023 YEARS
TOTAL CRIMES REPORTED
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
7540 6734 5988 5915 5736 5621 6065 5384 5149 3997 4070
4134 Table 10 - Total crimes reported in Grenada for the period 2012-2023
While the overall increases in crimes are modest with a 1.8% increase 2021-2022 and a 1.5% increase 2022- 2023, as shown in the table above, there has been a sharp increase in murders. The report shows that ending, “the 31st December 2023, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force recorded 52 murders, (43 done using a firearm). Up to the same date in 2022, there were 42 murders (28 done using a firearm). The year 2022 ended with what at that time was a record breaking 42 murders. The year 2023 ended with 10 more murders than 2022 and thus, breaking the previously set record.” It is interesting to note that the report focuses mainly on murders committed and also of note is the “solve” rate for gun related homicides which is 8.69% 2021-2023, clearly indicating which category of crime is priority. Violent crimes, theft and damage to property also increased by roughly 18%, 8% and 17% respectively over the period. The dominant concern for violent and gun and gun related crimes is reflected in media reports accounting for 69.6% of the keyword search for murder (27.6%), guns (25%), ammunition (10%) and assault (7%) as the major categories. Media reports and opinion pieces reflect the trend of growing crime especially gun and gun related crime. In the Searchlight online story “Gun Amnesty Takes Effect From Today”, published March 1, 2024, it stated that:
“Over the past two years, crimes involving the use of illegally possessed firearms and ammunition have been plaguing St Vincent and the Grenadines with two homicide records being broken in consecutive years.”
17 Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines police force crime analysis unit statistical report a general analysis of the trend of crime for the period 2012 – 2023 and assessing the crime situation for 2023.
A Media Analysis of the Coverage of Youth Involvement in Crime and Violence and Trafficking in Persons (June 2021 to June 2023) in the Eastern Caribbean 37
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