Cayman saw a slight increase of 3.5% in overall crime in 2022 compared to the previous year, with 3,810 crimes being reported across all three islands, according to the latest Royal Cayman Islands Police Service’s statistics.
Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne, speaking at a press briefing on Friday, 14 April, attributed this increase mostly to “acquisitive” crimes, such as robberies and burglaries, driven by a spike in armed robberies last year.
A spate of robberies was seen in March and April last year and again between October and December.
According to the RCIPS, of the 45 robberies reported in 2022, 38 involved firearms.
The RCIPS says 10 people were arrested in relation to these armed robberies in the final 10 weeks of 2022.
During the year, police seized 16 firearms and 370 rounds of ammunition.
Byrne said firearm-related crimes were carried out by “a relatively small number of no more than 30 … recidivist, prolific repeat offenders, normally members of the local community involved particularly in the drug and the theft-from-motor vehicle category. And we do know that drug abuse is a significant driving factor in the commission of these crimes.”
During the year, there were 760 violent crimes, compared to 809 in 2021. These included four murders and six attempted murders last year. Firearms were used in three of the four murders and in five of the six attempted murders. Bladed weapons were used in the other two instances.
Byrne said, “In 2022 the RCIPS returned to a normal state of policing and security operations, and the statistics reflect this. Although we saw an increase in acquisitive crime and firearm-enabled crime in 2022 compared to 2021, when looking at the past five years, the numbers are in line with pre-pandemic years, and overall show a downward trend.”
He added, “Overall, regarding crime, we saw ongoing success in reducing the most serious criminal offences, and success in bringing some of our worst offenders to justice, ensuring that the Cayman Islands remain a safe place to live, work, visit and do business.”
Other crime stats
Police seized $4 million in drugs – mostly ganja and cocaine – in 2022.
A total of 154 drug crimes were reported in 2022, compared to 165 the previous year.
The RCIPS noted in its report that the detection of drug crimes tend to be “as a result of proactive or targeted investigations, particularly to supply or importation-related crimes or due to police interactions with persons for non-drug-related reasons”.
There was a slight increase in domestic violence referrals – from 1,728 in 2021 to 1,740 in 2022. Police said these related to “civil disputes”, which are not a recorded crime type but are still considered by the Family Support Unit for early intervention and prevention.
Throughout 2022, there were 1,431 child safeguarding referrals, compared to 1,401 the previous year.
Police dealt with 78 sexual crimes in 2022, compared to 89 in 2021. These included 19 rapes, six more than in 2021; three attempted rapes; nine cases of defilement of an under-age girl; and nine cases of grooming. There were 23 cases of indecent assault and 13 cases of indecent exposure.
Police staffing levels
According to the police commissioner, the RCIPS currently has 391 officers and 43 support staff, not including civilian staff. This figures does not include the Coast Guard.
In total, Byrne said, there are 301 frontline staff, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a years, including 14 based on the Sister Islands.
To read the full RCIPS 2022 crime statistics report, click here.
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