BVI sees dramatic crime reduction in early 2025

Source: loopnews.com, News Editor, First published April 24, 2025

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is reporting some of the most significant reductions in serious crime in recent years, with first-quarter figures for 2025 (January–March) showing improvements over both last year and the five-year average from 2020 to 2024.

According to the latest police statistics, serious assaults declined by 17 per cent compared to the same period in 2024 and are now 11 per cent below the five-year average.

Sexual offences saw an even more dramatic drop, down 42 per cent year-over-year and 36 per cent lower than the five-year norm.

Other burglaries, including break-ins at business premises, construction sites, and storage facilities, fell by 44 per cent compared to last year and are 30 per cent below the five-year average. These figures represent the lowest first-quarter statistics for these offences in at least five years.

Murder rates continue to remain low across the territory, with one case recorded in the first quarter of 2025, matching the figure from 2024 and showing a significant reduction from 2021, which saw four cases during the same period.

As part of their commitment to dismantling the local drug trade, the RVIPF seized a substantial quantity of cannabis-related materials during the first quarter. Officers confiscated over 12 kilograms of cannabis, 2,900 cannabis plants, and 2,447 seedlings in their ongoing efforts to combat illegal drug activity.

Efforts to curb illegal firearms also intensified during this period. Law enforcement recovered seven pistols and two rifles, exceeding totals for the same period last year. Ammunition seizures more than doubled, rising from 152 to 389 rounds.

The high charge rates in possession cases reflect the RVIPF’s continued zero-tolerance approach to illegal weaponry.