Commissioner of Police, Shanta Knowles led a press briefing at police headquarters on Monday where she released the mid-year crime statistics.

The new numbers show a 14% overall decrease in major crime. Commissioner Knowles said, “there were regional decreases across the board at rates of 15% in New Providence, 11% in Grand Bahama and 6% in the family islands district.”

According to the mid year report murders are down by 27% with 44 incidents thus far for the year compared to 60 in 2024. The case solvency rate is 64%. “Victims between the ages of 18 and 45 represents 84% of all homicides. Again, retaliation, gang and conflict continue to trend as the most common motives for murder representing 64% collectively,” Knowles said. The instances of armed robberies, stolen vehicles and home invasion have all decreased as well.

As for illegal weapons, police have confiscated 196 firearms and 8,300 rounds of ammunition. The Commissioner also spoke of the successes seen in the fight against the illegal drug trade. “For the first part of the year we were able to seize an estimated 2,691 pounds of marijuana, ten marijuana plants and 2,130 pounds of cocaine. As a result we arrested 873 persons and charged 680 of them for illegal drug possession offences.”

Eighty seven sexual assaults have been reported in the first half of 2025 compared to 125 in the same period last year. This represents a decrease of 30%. The offences include rape, unlawful sexual intercourse and attempted rape.

The Commissioner also fielded questions about rogue police officers in light of the controversy surrounding several officer when Knowles assumed office. “Give us the credit where the credit is due. These are good people who are on our police force. Yes, we know that there are some bad apples and as we find them we will weed them out.”

Knowles acknowledged the Lord while speaking about the reason for the notable decrease in crime. She also commended the work of the men and women of the police force.