For the first time, the RCIPS has included detection rates in its annual crime stats report, which indicate that 43% of crimes committed last year were solved.
The report showed that Cayman’s crime rate had increased by 7%, by 272 offences, last year compared to 2023. A total of 4,218 crimes were recorded.
Police said the increase was mainly linked to “acquisitive crimes”, which include burglaries, robberies and thefts, as well as public order and sexual offences.
Of the overall crime rate, as well as the 43% of incidents that were solved, 20% of the cases are still being investigated. The remaining 37% have been closed, with no arrests made and all lines of inquiry exhausted, police confirmed.
Detective Superintendent Peter Lansdown, speaking at a press conference on 14 May, noted that Cayman’s detection rates are far higher than many other jurisdictions, including London.
“I did 40 years in London in the Met Police, and we just could not aspire to these figures. The Met Police in London are detecting 5% of crimes. We’re detecting 43%,” he said.
He noted that Gibraltar, another British Overseas Territory, detects 26% of crimes.
A ‘detection’ is generally defined as when a person is cautioned, charged or summonsed to appear in court.
As well as the overall detection rate, police also released detection rates for individual categories of offences.
| Offence | Number | Detection rate |
| Drug crime | 187 (26% increase) | 76% |
| Burglary, robbery, theft | 1,519 (4% increase) | 24% |
| Firearms possession | 31 (21% decrease) | 26% |
| Sexual offences | 104 (21% increase) | 33% |
| Public order offences | 835 (6% increase) | 56% |
| Violence against the person | 743 (3% decrease) | 58% |
| Serious violence (including murder/attempted murder) | 68 (62% increase) | 38% |
| Total | 4,218 (7% increase) | 43% |
Police Commissioner Kurt Walton said it’s important that the police service measure its detection rate and set “realistic targets”.
“It inspires and motivates our staff to look at their performance, reflect on their investigative abilities and want to feel proud to detect crime,” he said.
The RCIPS is aiming to surpass the 43% detection rate and get to 60%.
Walton admitted that aiming for a 60% clear-up rate was “ambitious”, but with 20% of cases from last year still active and under investigation, he said, “There’s still a chance we can achieve that.”
According to the 2024 RCIPS statistics, 2,398 arrests were made throughout the year, 15 firearms were recovered, and more than $3 million of drugs seized.
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1,519 burglaries / robberies is an extraordinary high number in this small island.
The solve rate of 26% however is vastly better than the UK. There, the police don’t even try to investigate break-ins.
One suggestion that is needed is more patrol cruisers at night. Example, Bodden Town Area needs more than 2 patrol cruiser on duty at night.
More CCTV installed, Example Newlands Dock/Park at Duck Pond could be monitored by the Bodden Town Police Station. This would deter late night parties and drugs at this Park.