Figures point to significant drop in crime

FRIDAY, JAN. 31, UPDATE: Last year saw the island post its lowest crime rate in more than a decade, according to statistics released today by the Bermuda Police Service.

All crime offences in that time frame totalled 812, which marked a decrease of almost eight per cent when compared to the previous quarter. 

Total crime for the year and total crime rate for the last quarter were the lowest rates recorded in each respective metric since 2000.

All told, 2013 saw 12.8 per cent less criminal offences than 2012.

In the past five years, crime has decreased by a third, according to police.

Fatalities and injuries related to gun crime, according to the statistics, spiked in 2010, but have significantly declined since that time.

“The overall picture is the long-term trend of total crime in Bermuda continues to be decreasing, and for the first time in five years, all other major crime categories are also on a decreasing trend,” said Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva.Bermuda had five recorded murders in 2013, the same number as the previous year.

However, in 2012, all five were gun-related deaths. Last year, three of the five were gun-related.

According to Mr DeSilva, the most notable statistic for the last quarter of 2013 was the absence of a single fatal shooting or gun-related injury. 

It marked the first time in five years that no one was shot during that time period.

Authorities seized about 35 kilograms of controlled drugs last year, with cannabis comprising two-thirds of that haul. 

All told, seized drugs for 2013 are valued at $2.9 million. Seizers made by customs account for 60 per cent of the total.

Traffic collisions are down slightly; there were 1,815 in 2012. Last year, that number dipped slightly to 1,774. That still means there are on average about five collisions each day, something DeSilva said “seems to be a fairly high number for such a small jurisdiction as ours”.

During the past five years, deaths from fatal road collisions had more than doubled the number of gun-related deaths on the island. 

There were 54 traffic-related deaths during that time frame versus 24 fatal shootings.

“There are clearly some very positive indicators in last year’s crime report,” said Mr DeSilva.

“We believe the reductions in crime have resulted in part from robust law enforcement, but more importantly from community support, community efforts and community action.”

Police are currently considering the annual crime report and other “supporting documents”, in order to form the annual policing plan, which is due to be “refreshed” on April 1. Police “operational priorities” from an analysis of such documents, according to Mr DeSilva, include gangs and antisocial behaviour, community engagement and road safety.

A public Town Hall-style meeting about the annual policing plan is scheduled for Feb. 20 at St. James Church Hall.