BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has announced plans to intensify crime-reduction initiatives throughout 2026, building upon a year of remarkable progress in combating serious offenses across the twin-island Federation.
Commissioner of Police James Sutton revealed during a January 7 press conference that preliminary data for 2025 demonstrates substantial decreases in multiple major crime categories, though certain offenses showed concerning upward trends. The most dramatic improvement appeared in firearm-related homicides, which plummeted from 25 cases in 2024 to just four in 2025 – representing an unprecedented 84 percent reduction.
The comprehensive statistical review indicates robberies decreased by 29 percent, sexual assaults dropped by 51 percent, and larcenies fell by 7 percent. However, non-fatal shootings remained unchanged from the previous year, while offenses involving other bodily harm increased by 11 percent. Malicious damage incidents rose by 20 percent, and firearm and ammunition possession violations surged by 37 percent.
Commissioner Sutton attributed the positive trends to “sustained enforcement efforts, intelligence-led operations, firearm interdictions, and increased cooperation from sections of the public.” He emphasized the direct correlation between firearm reduction and decreased violence, stating: “Fewer guns on our streets mean fewer gun victims. That relationship is neither theoretical nor accidental.”
The police force’s strategic framework for 2026 encompasses five core approaches: enhanced community policing with deeper neighborhood integration; technology-driven crime detection utilizing advanced data and intelligence systems; targeted enforcement against illegal firearms and repeat violent offenders; a transition toward proactive crime prevention; and expanded youth engagement initiatives focusing on early intervention and diversion programs.
Sutton stressed that law enforcement effectiveness remains dependent on broader societal support, noting: “Preventing crime and violence requires the cooperation and involvement of society in its entirety. Education, family structures, mental health support, youth development and community responsibility all play critical roles.”
The Commissioner acknowledged recent tragedy during the Sugarmass 54 festivities, where 18-year-old Kaden Hanley was fatally stabbed during Last Lap activities, alongside several other injuries from altercations involving bladed weapons. Sutton described this incident as staining “an otherwise safe period” and serving as “a stark reminder that progress can be reversed by individual choices made in moments of anger or impulse.”
He expressed concern about an emerging pattern of escalating interpersonal aggression, observing that disputes are increasingly being resolved through violence rather than restraint. As the Federation moves forward, the police force remains committed to “building a safer, more disciplined and socially responsible Federation” through strengthened community partnerships and continued progress in crime prevention.