Guyana records lowest crime levels in a decade

Jan 12, 2026 News

…Pres. Ali credits success on investment in technology

(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali on Saturday announced that Guyana has recorded its lowest crime levels in at least a decade, crediting sustained government investment in national security and the expanded use of technology in crime-fighting.

The President made the disclosure during the opening ceremony of the AC Marriott Hotel at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, emphasising the safety of the country for investment opportunities. His announcement also follows the release of recent serious crime statistics for 2025. He stated that security remains a critical pillar for economic growth and investor confidence, noting that criminal networks tend to thrive in environments where instability exists.

Guyana records lowest crime levels in a decade

President Irfaan Ali

“Wherever these cells and networks find fertile ground, they tend to grow and find some amount of peace. That is why we believe strongly that the success of our business and our economic expansion depends heavily on how secure a region we have,” President Ali said. He added that the current crime trend is a result of deliberate policy decisions and increased reliance on modern technology. “We are investing heavily in our national security, and that is why I am pleased to say that we have the lowest crime numbers in at least the last decade,” he stated.

The President further explained that technology has become a critical partner in law enforcement, stressing that a safe and stable environment is essential for continued local and foreign investment. “We are taking deliberate steps, using the advances of technology to be our partner in crime-fighting and security, because we know your investment depends heavily on a stable and secure environment,” he said.

Despite the overall reduction in crime, recent data from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) shows an increase in murders. According to statistics released on Friday, murders rose by 11.1 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024. A total of 130 murders were recorded in 2025, up from 117 in 2024.

In contrast, serious crimes across Police Divisions one to 10 declined significantly, falling from 1,235 cases in 2024 to 920 cases in 2025, representing a 25.5 per cent reduction. The GPF reported sharp declines across all categories of robbery, with simple robbery decreasing by 61.5 per cent and armed robbery by approximately 29 per cent. Robbery with violence and robbery with aggravation also dropped by more than 30 per cent and 29 per cent, respectively. Overall, excluding murder, serious crimes recorded a substantial decline for the year.

The reduction in crime has been linked to increased government investment in law enforcement and forensic capabilities. In 2024, the Government allocated $250 million from the $30.3 billion budgetary provision for the GPF to strengthen forensic science and technological advancements. This was disclosed by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, during the opening of a Restorative Justice training programme at the GPF Officers’ Mess Hall at Eve Leary, Georgetown. Nandlall said the government has recognised the need to modernise investigative approaches in response to evolving criminal methods. “With the technological changes taking place across the globe, crime has not remained stagnant. The criminal has wised up and takes advantage of these changes,” he noted.

A GPF report further revealed that a major component of the investment includes the operationalisation of a DNA analysis workflow system acquired in 2022. The system has significantly enhanced forensic crime-fighting capabilities, with the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory analysing more than 900 DNA specimens in the previous year alone.

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Crime Fighting, crime levels, Guyana Police Force, Irfaan Ali

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