Statistics confirm crime hike

(CNS): During the first six months of this year police dealt with 129 more crimes than during the same period in 2008. Confirming what most people in Cayman suspected, the statistics have revealed that there was a significant increase in burglaries, in particular in the capital George Town. Burglary has risen by 54% and aggravated burglary (where the burglar goes equipped with a weapon) increased by 300%, a situation that police say was not unexpected given the economic downturn.

Between 1 January and 30 June a total of 1,315 offences were recorded by police, a rise from 1,186 in 2008. The increase included a jump in burglary offences from 194 in 2008 to 300 in 2009. Offences of theft have also shown an increase, with 188 offences reported in 2008 and 204 reported in 2009.

“Acquisitive crime, where people steal items to sell on, could be expected to rise during an economic downturn and we have been looking at measures to counteract this,” said Commissioner of Police, David Baines. “Officers have been conducting increased road checks to identify travelling burglars and patrols are being boosted in areas which have been identified as most at risk. Some success has been seen, with a number of people arrested for going equipped to steal and burglary and attempted burglary.”

Police noted that recent analysis of burglaries conducted by the Joint Intelligence Unit revealed that George Town is where most burglaries are happening and along the beach side of West Bay Road in particular. Walkers Road and Windsor Park areas are also vulnerable and the most likely time that a break-in will occur is on a weekday, during hours of darkness. The most common means of entry is through an insecure property or by prising a rear door.  

In other crime categories, there has been an increase in offences of possession of an unlicensed firearm, which has risen from 11 in ’08 to 16 in ’09, which the police said they were placing a priority on firearms offences and would continue to target those involved in their use and possession.

While there has been a fall in domestic violence assaults, from 83 in 2008 to 25 in 2009, as ever a decline in reporting does not mean that this type of crime is any less common.  “It is possible that people are not reporting offences that are occurring,” Baines said. “I would encourage anyone who is in an abusive relationship to come forward. There is help available.”

Although murder was down on the stats from the same period last year — to three compared to the five killings which occurred in the same period last year — there were in fact two further murders within a few weeks of the close of the reporting period. Although some violent crimes such as rape declined, assaults including GBH increased significantly.

Fatal road crashes and other accidents all dropped and there have been only 2 deaths on the roads in Cayman so far this year compared to 5 in 2007 and 6 in 2008 during the same period. All road accidents declined by 8% and all offences declined by 17%. Officers in the Traffic Management Unit said they would continue to monitor the roads for breaches in the law and would take action when offences are identified.

Those looking for crime reduction advice can log on to the website at www.rcips.ky . Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property.