– urges vigilance before the busy holiday season

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has reported unprecedented progress in reducing crime for 2024, recording the lowest rates of serious crime, murder, robbery and burglary in ten years, according to Chief of Crime, Wendell Blanhum.

During the recent launch of the Guyana Police Force’s Christmas Policing Strategy at the Police Officers’ Mess Annex in Kingston, Georgetown, the crime boss said there has been a significant drop in serious crime. The number of reported cases fell to 1,042, a substantial reduction from the 3,925 cases reported in 2015. Additionally, there was a 24.8% decrease in murders compared to the previous year.

The GPF announced a significant drop in serious crime, including murder, robbery and burglary. The number of serious crime reports fell significantly to 1,042, a substantial drop from the peak of 3,925 in 2015. The homicide rate fell to 100 cases, a ten-year low, with 88% of victims being male and the majority of incidents involving non-firearm disputes. The number of robberies decreased to 386 incidents, a significant decrease from 1,146 cases in 2019. Similarly, burglary incidents reached a record low of 261 cases compared to 1,567 incidents in 2015.

Blanhum said the GPF has achieved notable success in law enforcement operations. Authorities seized an unprecedented 162 illegal firearms, consisting of handguns, rifles and assault rifles, many linked to smuggling operations. Increased narcotics enforcement led to 62 cocaine-trafficking arrests, a five-year high, accompanied by an increase in cannabis seizures from 2023.

As the festive season approaches, the GPF has outlined its Christmas policing strategy to protect citizens. Measures include increased patrols in busy shopping areas, improved traffic management and stronger community involvement. Intelligence-driven operations will address potential threats, ensuring a secure environment for the festive period.

Reflecting on a decade of progress, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum credited targeted enforcement, intelligence gathering and community collaboration for the accomplishments. “Our focus remains on protecting the public, tackling criminal activity decisively and building trust within communities,” he said.

The GPF urged citizens to remain vigilant and proactive, stressing that collective efforts will help sustain these gains and set the stage for continued success in 2025.