| Police release crime statistics | | Print | |
| Friday, 29 January 2010 18:29 | |||
 The total number of crimes committed in the Turks and Caicos Islands has increased by 38 percent in 2009 compared to 2008, according to police statistics released last week. In total, roughly 800 more crimes were committed this year over and above last, of which the majority were burglaries (almost 35%), followed by thefts (almost 15%).
The largest percentage increase from 2008 to 2009 was in the category of firearms offenses, which more than tripled from 2008. Five times as many robberies were committed with firearms in 2009 over the previous year. Three-fourths of all crimes and most of the increase in crimes were on Providenciales, where the largest percentage of the population lives, followed by Grand Turk. Both vehicle theft and theft from vehicles more than doubled. The only crimes showing a decrease in 2009 were drug offenses. Overall, tourists were victims in 34 crimes in 2009, which is 1.2% of all crimes committed and only 0.01% of all tourists that came to TCI were affected. Nonetheless, since only 1 crime was committed against tourists in 2008, this increase was said to be taken seriously by the police. More locals were charged with crimes, while fewer aliens were charged. Locals accounted for 76 percent of those arrested, while 24 percent were aliens. Only two tourists were charged, both for possession of cannabis. While more crimes are being committed, the police were able to make arrests in only 22 percent of crimes in 2009, compared to 40 percent in 2008. An increase in crime has been seen across the Bahamas and Caribbean and has been attributed in part to the global financial crunch being felt everywhere.
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