Overall criminal offenses committed in Bermuda were down just over 8% in 2022, marking the fourth consecutive downward trend according to the Bermuda Police Service today.
Official crime statistics are in from police today with the latest figures showing a decrease in the total number of offenses in 2022 compared to the previous year.
The report states that there were 2,902 offenses recorded in 2022 compared with 3,165 in 2021, representing an 8.3% decline.
According to police, this is a continuation of a fourth consecutive downward trend in the number of offenses reported following a high of 3,694 offenses reported in 2018.
Crime figures showed there were 9 murders in 2022, two more than in 2021.
Five of the murders were firearms related and three involved the use of a bladed weapon.
According to the statistics, a total of 39 firearms incidents were recorded of which 15 were confirmed and 13 unconfirmed – a decrease from the previous year.
There were 319 fewer offenses of anti-social behaviour reported from 726 to 407 while police state that this was largely due to the COVID regulations being in place.
Additionally, the BPS recovered a total of 11 firearms from the streets compared to 6 in 2021.
22 were recovered in 2018, comparatively.
In 2022, there were 11 road traffic fatalities, while 132 people were seriously injured in road collisions with speed and impaired driving remaining the main cause so says police.
Darrin Simons, Commissioner of Police stated, “While there have been increases in some categories, the fact remains that overall, crime was down in 2022. Admittedly, COVID regulations would have had an influence on the figures.”
“However, despite the challenges highlighted here, your Bermuda Police Service continues its efforts, unabated, to maintain this downward trend. We may not get it right all the time, but we seek to ensure that we do get it right the majority of the time.”
Police issued a total of 9,233 traffic tickets in 2022 as part of their strategy to address the high number of RTCs however. a spokesperson notes that the public must do their part to exercise greater caution when driving and do not drive while impaired.
The BPS 2022 Crime Statistics can be viewed at: https://www.bermudapolice.bm
