CRIME DROPS TO FIVE-YEAR LOW IN KEY AREAS, SAYS RVIPF

Apr 24, 2025 0 Comments

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is reporting some of the most significant reductions in serious crime in recent years, with first-quarter figures

for 2025 (January–March) showing notable improvements over both last year and a five-year average from 2020 to 2024.

Key Crime Reductions:

• Serious Assaults declined by 17% compared to the same period in 2024 and are now 11% below the five-year average.

• Sexual Offenses saw a dramatic drop, down 42% year-over-year and 36% lower than the five-year norm.

• Other Burglaries, including break-ins at business premises, construction sites, and storage facilities, fell by 44% compared to last year and are 30% below thefive-year average. These represent the lowest first-quarter figures for these offences in at least five years.

Murder rates remain low, with one case recorded in the first quarter of 2025, the same as in 2024 and a significant reduction from 2021, which saw four cases during the same period.

Drug Seizures:

As part of our commitment to dismantling the local drug trade, the RVIPF seized a substantial quantity of cannabis-related materials during the first quarter. 

These include:

• Over 12 kilograms of cannabis

• 2,900 cannabis plants

• 2,447 seedlings

Firearm Enforcement:

Efforts to curb illegal firearms also intensified:

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• Seven pistols and two rifles were recovered—exceeding totals for the same period last year.

• Ammunition seizures more than doubled, rising from 152 to 389 rounds.

• High charge rates in possession cases reflect the RVIPF’s continued zero-tolerance approach to illegal weaponry.

The results for the first quarter of 2025 highlight a clear and encouraging trend. These gains are the result of focused enforcement, intelligence-led operations, and strong community partnerships—demonstrating that collaborative efforts continue to yield real results in the fight against crime.

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