The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has reported a significant increase in firearm-related crime during the first five months of 2026, with gun offences rising by 22 per cent compared to the same period last year. Despite the increase, police say they have maintained a murder detection rate of nearly 50 per cent while also recording declines in several other categories of crime.
The latest figures were presented by Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Mashama Sealy, who outlined crime trends recorded across the island up to May 28.
According to Sealy, police recorded a total of 5,374 reported crimes between January 1 and April 28, 2026.
“For the period January 1st to the 28th of April, 2026, a total of 5,374 crimes were reported across the island in the three policing districts as follows,” she stated. “The Northern Division, 1,283 cases, the Central Division, 2,187 cases, and the Southern Division, 1,904 cases.”
Sealy revealed that 35 homicides were recorded island-wide between January 1 and May 28, with every case classified as murder.
“For the period January 1st to May 28, 2026, a total of 35 homicides were recorded island-wide,” she said. “Of the homicides, all 35 were classified as murders for the period under review.”
The majority of the killings involved firearms.
“The majority of homicides during this period were firearm-related,” Sealy explained, noting that firearms were used in 24 of the 35 murders recorded.
She added that nine deaths resulted from stabbing incidents, while two were linked to blunt force trauma.
Police have so far solved nearly half of the murder cases recorded this year.
“To date, 17 of the 35 murder cases have been detected, representing a detection rate of 49%,” Sealy reported.
Law enforcement officials also highlighted ongoing efforts to remove illegal weapons from the streets. A total of 30 firearms were recovered during the review period, including both lethal and less-lethal weapons.
“Of these, 25 are classified as lethal and 5 as less lethal weapons,” Sealy said. “The breakdown is as follows. 21 pistols, 1 shotgun, 3 revolvers, 1 flare gun, 2 rifles and 1 pistol.”
In addition to firearms, police recovered a significant quantity of ammunition and firearm accessories.
“For the period January 1st to May 28th, 2026, 25 firearm related components were recovered,” she explained.
The items included “21 magazines, 1 backplate, 3 extended magazines and a total of 447 live rounds and 6 non-live rounds”.
The statistics show that firearm offences continue to trend upward.
“Firearm offences, a 22% increase from 93 cases in 2025 to 113 cases in 2026,” Sealy revealed.
However, several other categories of crime recorded declines during the period under review.
“Stealing from a motor vehicle, there’s a 15% decrease from 28 cases to 21 cases,” she said. “Stealing from person, a 13% decrease from 128 cases in 2025 to 111 cases in 2026.”
She also noted improvements in the area of sexual offences.
“And sexual offences, there is a 12% decrease from 58 cases in 2025 to 51 cases in 2026.”
The latest figures underscore the continued challenge posed by gun violence in Saint Lucia, even as police report progress in solving murders and reducing several other forms of criminal activity.