Crime report shows fewer gun killings but sharp rise in drug offences

The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) has published its comparative analysis of major crimes between 1 January and 16 August 2025, and the picture is one of progress in some areas alongside new challenges in others.

The headline figure is clear: firearm-related homicides are down by 90 percent compared to the same period last year. That represents one of the most significant shifts in recent memory, and police say it reflects a mix of targeted operations, stronger intelligence gathering, and closer cooperation with communities. Homicides by other means, however, remain unchanged at three cases in both 2024 and 2025.

Other forms of violent crime also recorded notable reductions. Robberies fell by more than a quarter, and reported sexual assaults dropped by half. Superintendent Carl Greaux, currently seconded to the Regional Security System, called the numbers a reflection of the combined efforts of officers, partner agencies and the public.

But while the federation has seen a marked decline in violence, the picture is less positive when it comes to property crime and drugs. Larceny was up by 2 percent, with three more break-ins recorded than last year.

The most striking increase was in drug possession cases, which jumped by more than 500 percent. Police say this reflects heightened enforcement, not simply greater use. Crucially, every single case was solved, with arrests and charges laid in 100 percent of instances. Greaux described this as evidence of a zero-tolerance approach to narcotics and a credit to the diligence of investigators.

The comparative report therefore offers a mixed assessment: fewer violent crimes, but a clear need for sustained focus on property offences and the realities of drug-related crime. For the RSCNPF, the message is one of cautious progress.

“Public safety remains our highest priority,” Greaux stressed. “We will continue to build on these gains, strengthen community partnerships, and maintain pressure on those who seek to destabilise our society through crime.”

The Police Force is encouraging the public to remain vigilant and make use of established hotlines and community channels to report suspicious activity.