FOREWORD

As Commissioner of Police for the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, I am pleased to present the annual statistical report for crime and traffic 2019. This report highlights the significant achievements in 2019 and identifies the emerging challenges we need to address going forward. At the end of 2019 the RCIPS implemented a new crime recording standard that will enable us to continue delivering accurate statistics aimed at nurturing public trust.

In 2019 serious crime commissions in the Cayman Islands decreased by 14% compared to the volumes recorded in 2018

The annual statistical report is a chance to reflect on our collective successes, not solely as a police service but as a community. The RCIPS continues to contribute significantly to maintaining the safety and well-being of the communities of the Cayman Islands.

In 2019 the overall levels of crime in the Cayman Islands remained stable and controlled. Total volumes of crime have increased by less than 1%.

This marginal increase in crime in 2019 is indicative of a growing willingness on behalf of victims to report and the commitment of the RCIPS to investigate crimes which in the past went unreported.

In 2019 there was a 28% increase in the number of domestic violence referrals and a 33% increase in child safeguarding referrals dealt with by RCIPS. This is in line with steady increases in recent years

The RCIPS continued to invest significant resources into addressing crimes that impact the most vulnerable in our communities.

In 2019 less than 3% of the most serious violent crimes involved an element of domestic violence, compared to 31% for 2018. This indicates that the RCIPS is increasingly able to intervene earlier to assist victims before levels of violence escalates.”

The RCIPS had ongoing success in reducing the most serious criminal offences, bringing offenders to justice and ensuring that the Cayman Islands remain a safe place to live, to work, to visit and to do business.

In 2019 there were substantial reductions in the crimes of Murder (-75%), Rape (-52%), Robbery (-37%) and Burglary (-34%) compared to the volumes recorded in 2018. The number of Murder, Rape, Robbery and Burglary crimes recorded in 2019 were at their lowest levels in the past 5 years.

These reductions have been achieved through a combination of factors; the identification and relentless pursuit of the offenders that pose the greatest threat, increasing the awareness of crime prevention through partnership work and the embedding of community policing at a local level.

The RCIPS, in partnership with other law enforcement agencies at local and international levels continued to target organised crime groups seeking to bring illegal commodities into the Cayman Islands.

In 2019, as a result of multiple investigations, RCIPS recovered 9 illegal firearms, a quantity of ammunition and drugs with an estimated street value of CI$4.2 million dollars. In addition, in intelligence led operations 4,102lbs of Ganja was seized at sea and prevented from reaching our islands.

As a result of listening to community concerns and in line with the key priority of improving safety for all road users in the Cayman Islands;

The RCIPS Roads Policing and Traffic Enforcement Department issued 3,094 tickets for speeding offences in 2019, an increase of 46% compared to the previous year.

Looking ahead in 2020, the RCIPS will seek to build on the successes achieved in 2019, listening to our communities and continuing to ensure that the Cayman Islands remain a safe place to live, work, visit and conduct business.

Derek Byrne.
Commissioner of Police

To download the 41 page full report you can download it at: https://www.rcips.ky/crime-info/crime-statistics/