Serious crimes fall nearly 20% across Jamaica in first half of 2026
Key Points(5)
- Serious crimes across Jamaica declined by almost one-fifth in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
- The statistics, covering January 1 to June 27, show an overall drop of 19.5% in serious crimes nationwide, falling from 1,818 cases in 2025 to 1,464 in 2026.
- The data also points to broad declines in several major categories: murders fell 22.5%, shootings dropped 27.7%, robberies declined 25%, and break-ins were down 11.5%.
- Shooting injuries also decreased, from 241 to 159, a reduction of nearly 34%.
- But while the national picture is one of improvement, the data shows sharp contrasts at the divisional level, with several parishes recording notable increases in violent crime.
Serious crimes across Jamaica declined by almost one-fifth in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
The statistics, covering January 1 to June 27, show an overall drop of 19.5% in serious crimes nationwide, falling from 1,818 cases in 2025 to 1,464 in 2026.
The data also points to broad declines in several major categories: murders fell 22.5%, shootings dropped 27.7%, robberies declined 25%, and break-ins were down 11.5%. Shooting injuries also decreased, from 241 to 159, a reduction of nearly 34%.
But while the national picture is one of improvement, the data shows sharp contrasts at the divisional level, with several parishes recording notable increases in violent crime.
The figures were released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
Police data show 265 murders were recorded in 2026, compared to 342 in the same period last year. Shootings dropped from 357 to 258, while robberies fell from 360 to 270. Break-ins also declined from 558 to 494.
Officials say the overall downward trend reflects sustained policing efforts, though they caution that gains remain uneven across regions.
Parish-by-parish breakdown shows mixed results
Several divisions recorded significant reductions in serious crimes.
In the corporate area, the St. Andrew North saw one of the steepest improvements, with serious crimes plunging 69.2%, driven by sharp declines in shootings and break-ins. St. Andrew South also recorded a 30.6% drop in overall serious crimes, alongside a halving of murders.
Similarly, St. Catherine South and Westmoreland both recorded declines of more than 30% in serious crimes, with notable reductions in murders and shootings.
However, not all areas followed the national trend.
The most striking increase was recorded in St. Elizabeth, where murders surged from 6 to 16 — an increase of 166.7% — despite a drop in robberies and break-ins.
St. James also saw an uptick in murders, rising from 28 to 35, even as robberies and break-ins declined. The parish also recorded a small increase in shootings.
In the capital region, Kingston Eastern saw murders rise from 11 to 19, while shootings fell but other categories remained mixed.
Meanwhile, Manchester recorded increases in both murders and shootings, and Kingston Western saw notable rises in robbery and rape figures despite a fall in murders.
While the national decline in serious crimes suggests progress in public safety efforts, the uneven distribution of gains highlights persistent challenges in several communities.
Security analysts often note that Jamaica’s crime trends can shift sharply between parishes, with localized gang activity, economic pressures, and policing capacity playing significant roles.
For now, the JCF data presents a dual picture: a broad national improvement, tempered by pockets of rising violence that continue to demand attention.
