Antigua and Barbuda records increase in some categories of crime for the first half of the year

During the first six months of 2023, Antigua and Barbuda recorded 2 homicides.

In the same period in 2024, that number increased to 6. Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Superintendent Lisborn Michael, provided a comprehensive breakdown of the mid-year statistics during a state media interview.

Overall, 259 more crimes were committed in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023, with figures rising from 3,166 in 2023 to 3,425 in 2024.

There are troubling trends in several areas, including robbery, breaking and entering, and larceny.

Superintendent Michael highlighted that one of the main contributing factors is carelessness on the part of the public.

“There were 595 of those crimes in 2024, compared to 583 in 2023, an increase of 24,” he noted.

“Malicious damage is also on the rise, particularly at beaches and in various communities where people are frequently losing their valuables. There were 214 incidents in 2023 and 265 for the same period this year.”

Additionally, 57 robberies were reported in 2023, compared to 88 this year. In 2022, 47 firearms were recovered, and 50 persons were arrested and charged.

In 2023, those numbers increased to 52 firearms, 564 rounds of ammunition, and 57 arrests. So far in 2024, 14 firearms have been retrieved, along with 175 rounds of ammunition, and 37 arrests.

On a positive note, the number of reports of sexual offences is on the decline. “Last year, there were 19 sexual offenses reported, while this year, there have been 13,” Michael said.