Bermuda Police Release Latest Crime Statistics

Published on the Bermuda Police Service website in October, the statistics cover a wide range of crime types, from vandalism to firearm offences.

Read on as we take a closer look at the latest crime statistics from 2019 and how they compare to previous years.

One of the headline-grabbing statistics from the 2019 report is that it was the first year since 2000 without a murder. That was accompanied by figures showing that firearms offences dropped to just 36 in both 2018 and 2019, compared to 47 and 82 in 2017 and 2016 respectively.

There’s also good news for property owners, with crimes against property declining in all six categories. More specifically, they are residential burglary, non-residential burglary, criminal damage, vehicle theft, property theft and fraud.

2019 had a total of 2,068 offenses in this category, with 2,416 in 2018. It’s worth noting, however, that criminal damage, property theft and fraud all increased compared to the five-year average.

Unfortunately, as you might expect, the crime statistics are far from easy reading. ‘Crimes against the person’ increased year on year, as well as rising above the five-year average. These crimes are typically defined as those involving physical harm or the threat of it.

Digging a little deeper, serious assaults increased from 39 to 42 between 2018 and 2019, with sexual assaults also rising from 40 to 50. Alarmingly, that also means sexual assaults have risen above the five-year average.

While crimes against the community fell in 2019 compared to the previous year, the longer-term trend isn’t as promising. 2018 saw a rise overall, with 555 offences compared to 413 in 2017. That was down to disorder offences, which rose from 87 to 103, along with anti-social behaviour, with 398 incidents compared to 276 the year before

Overall, 2019 had the second-lowest number of offences since comparable records were started in 2000. By and large, crime is decreasing in Bermuda, but it’s still important to keep yourself, your family and your property safe.

Despite a downward trend in crimes against property, for example, there was still a total of over 2,000 offences in this category. All it takes is for your property to be the target of one of those offences, then suddenly your life is turned upside down.

Thankfully, there are several ways you can deter burglars and vandals without having to be constantly on your guard. CCTV cameras, intruder alarms and gate operators are all ways to make your property less susceptible to criminal activity.

At Selectron, we’re committed to helping both commercial and residential customers across Bermuda protect themselves and their property with a selection of the latest security equipment.

Once we understand your requirements, our experienced team can recommend the right products for you, then provide professional installation to get you up and running.

Don’t let your property become a statistic. Take the first steps towards safety and security by contacting the Selectron team today.