11 murders recorded in Region 6 for 2025

…120 left homeless by fires

Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) recorded 11 murders in 2025, the same number as in 2024 but significantly lower than the 19 recorded in 2023, as Police point to stronger investigative performance, improved community cooperation and a higher crime clear-up rate across the division.
According to regional law enforcement officials, the division achieved an estimated 130 per cent crime detection rate in 2025, compared with about 90 per cent in the previous year, largely due to the clearance of both current and previously outstanding cases.
Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner Shivpersaud Bacchus, said the improvement reflects growing trust between residents and law enforcement, supported by increased engagement, patrols and public interaction across communities in East Berbice-Corentyne.
He noted that persons are now more willing to share information and participate in discussions with the Police, which has helped investigators move more swiftly in solving serious crimes.
“Over the past year, we have strengthened our relationship with communities throughout the division. People are communicating more with the Police, attending conferences and coming forward with information. That cooperation has played a major role in helping us clear cases and improve our overall performance,” Bacchus said.
While the overall murder figure remained unchanged year-on-year, several brutal killings during 2025 shocked communities and underscored the violent nature of some of the offences being investigated.
Among the most recent was the December 22, 2025 robbery-murder of 61-year-old businessman Chen Yongping, who was fatally stabbed during an armed attack at his food business in Cumberland Village, East Canje.
Earlier in November, 56-year-old Emran Kadir of Belvedere Village was found dead at his home following an altercation during a drinking session.
In July, violence again erupted when 38-year-old labourer Gavin Daniels, also known as “Talk to Me,” was fatally stabbed at Jackson Creek.
Despite these incidents, Police maintain that the overall trend shows improved case resolution and responsiveness, supported by stronger intelligence gathering and cooperation at the community level.

Traffic
Alongside violent crime, road safety remained a major concern in the region during 2025, even as overall fatalities declined. A total of 17 people lost their lives in traffic accidents, compared with 20 in 2024.
Motorcyclists continued to account for the highest number of road deaths, with nine riders killed during the year. Pedestrians accounted for three fatalities, while pillion riders and cyclists were also among those who lost their lives.
Assistant Commissioner Bacchus again appealed directly to road users, particularly motorcyclists, to exercise greater caution.
“We continue to lose too many motorcyclists on our roads. Speeding, reckless riding and failure to wear proper safety gear remain major concerns. I am urging riders to slow down, obey the law and think about the families who depend on them,” he said.
Police reported sustained enforcement throughout the year, with thousands of traffic cases recorded for offences such as speeding, driving under the influence, failure to wear helmets and other breaches of road laws. Patrols, road checks and public education exercises were intensified, alongside school and driver outreach programmes.

Fires
Fire outbreaks added another layer of concern for Region Six during 2025. Official figures show that 83 dwelling houses were destroyed by fires, leaving 120 persons homeless across the county.
Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald said many of the fires were linked to preventable causes such as faulty electrical wiring, unsafe connections, unattended cooking and the careless use of open flames.
“Too many families are losing everything within minutes because of fires that could have been prevented. We are urging residents to check their wiring, avoid overloading electrical outlets and ensure appliances are switched off when not in use. Fire safety starts in the home,” McDonald said.
He also encouraged the installation of smoke detectors where possible and urged residents to report fire hazards early, noting that prevention remains the most effective form of protection.
Authorities say that while progress has been made in crime detection, traffic enforcement and emergency response, the figures for murders, road fatalities and fires show that sustained cooperation between citizens and emergency services remains critical as Region Six heads into 2026.