Major crimes down by 10 percent – Police Commissioner
May 4 2026
Guyana is recording measurable gains in its fight against crime, with serious offences declining by 10 per cent as the Guyana Police Force strengthens intelligence-driven policing across the country.
Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, speaking on Sunday’s episode of Police Round-up, reported significant drops across major crime categories.
Murders have decreased by 18 per cent, rape by 49 per cent, and break-and-enter and larceny by 15 per cent.
Robbery has also trended downward, while law enforcement has removed 51 illegal firearms from circulation.
The improvements come amid a coordinated, multi-division strategy focused on targeted investigations, heightened patrol presence, and rapid response operations.
According to the Commissioner, these interventions are being guided by a structured strategic framework designed to sustain downward crime trends and strengthen national security outcomes.
A central pillar of this progress is the expanded integration of technology. The Force has scaled up the use of command centres equipped with real-time surveillance systems, significantly improving its capacity to detect and respond to criminal activity.
In Georgetown, live camera monitoring has already proven effective in deterring and intercepting robberies.
Issuing a firm warning to would-be offenders, Hicken underscored the reach of these systems: individuals engaged in criminal activity will be identified, apprehended, and brought before the courts.
This technological push forms part of a broader transition from a “safe city” model to a nationwide “safe country” framework, with plans underway to establish command centres in all administrative regions.
Beyond enforcement, the Force is doubling down on community engagement as a critical crime-fighting tool.
The decentralisation of its community relations department has placed officers directly within neighbourhoods, improving trust and facilitating real-time intelligence sharing. Complementing this effort are youth-focused initiatives, including sports development programmes aimed at steering young people away from crime.
The Commissioner emphasized that public cooperation remains a decisive factor, noting that timely reporting by citizens has played a key role in disrupting criminal activity and advancing investigations.
With a combined focus on intelligence, technology, and community partnerships, the Guyana Police Force is positioning itself to drive even deeper reductions in crime in the months ahead.
