Saint Lucia recorded a 16 per cent decline in homicides between January 1 and October 20, 2026, compared with the corresponding period last year, even as burglaries and fatal road collisions increased, according to police statistics.
The figures, shared by Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Mashama Sealy at a police press conference on Thursday, show that 52 homicides were recorded during the period, down from 62 in 2025. All 52 cases were classified as murders.
Despite the decline in killings, burglary increased by five per cent, rising from 374 cases in the corresponding period last year to 394 in 2026. Stealing from a person also edged up by one per cent, from 268 to 270 cases.
Robbery declined by two per cent, from 154 to 151 cases, while drug offences fell by three per cent, from 311 to 301. Sexual offences decreased by seven per cent, from 163 to 152, and firearm offences fell by 25 per cent, from 254 to 190.
The police recorded 13,731 crimes across the island during the reporting period. The Central Division accounted for 5 234, followed by the Southern Division with 5 029 and the Northern Division with 3 468.
Firearms used in most homicides
Firearms were used in 39 of the 52 homicides, accounting for 75 per cent of the killings. Nine involved stabbings, while four involved blunt force.
Police also reported seizing 52 firearms during the period, including 42 classified as lethal and 10 as less lethal. The seizures included 34 pistols, two rifles, two shotguns, four revolvers, one flare gun, four air rifles, two air pistols and three imitation firearms.
A total of 1 609 live rounds of ammunition and six non-live rounds were also seized.
Significant drug seizures
The statistics also recorded substantial drug seizures, including 2 184.374 kilogrammes of cannabis, 622.85 kilogrammes of cocaine and 45.952 kilogrammes of cannabis resin.
Police also seized 18,188 cannabis plants and 555 seedlings, along with 0.2 kilogrammes of crack cocaine and 0.03 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine.
Fatal road collisions increase
Meanwhile, police recorded 2 417 traffic accidents during the reporting period, with increases across all three reported accident categories.
Fatal collisions rose from 13 in the corresponding period in 2025 to 14 in 2026, an increase of eight per cent.
Accidents resulting in serious damage increased by nine per cent, from 228 to 249, while those involving minor damage rose by 13 per cent, from 1 908 to 2 154.
