Serious crime down by 25.1% – Crime Chief

…says overall reduction in crime does not eclipse troubling rise in homicides

Despite Guyana recording its lowest serious crime figures in a decade, Guyana has seen a worrying rise in murders – up by 13.9 per cent for the year. This was revealed by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum during the launch of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Christmas Policing Plan 2025, held on Friday morning. Blanhum, who delivered his address virtually due to the recent passing of his mother, said the Force remains committed to accountability and data-driven policing as it heads into the festive period.
He told the gathering of senior officers, regional commanders, private security representatives, the media, and members of the business community that the GPF has made “significant strides” in suppressing crime, even as certain categories remain areas of concern.
“As we approach the festive season, the Guyana Police Force reaffirms its commitment to upholding the highest standards of policing as we seek to serve and protect all citizens of this great nation,” he said. He noted that serious crime continues its steady decline, dropping from 1017 reports last year to 801 in 2025, a reduction of 269 cases, representing a 25.1 per cent decrease.
However, the Crime Chief warned that the overall reduction in crime does not overshadow the troubling rise in homicides. Domestic murders, in particular, doubled this year, from 13 cases in 2024 to 26 in 2025, marking one of the most significant spikes in recent years. Over the last five years, Blanhum said, disorderly murders have consistently outnumbered other categories, but the surge in domestic killings has added a new layer of urgency to the GPF’s work.
Region Four “A” (Georgetown) recorded the highest number of murders this year, with 24 cases, while Region Two saw the lowest, with two murders during the same period.
Blanhum also detailed the geographic distribution of crime, explaining that Region Four “A” continues to carry the largest burden of reported offences. The region accounted for nearly a quarter of all serious crime this year, a trend he attributed to its status as the country’s main commercial hub. Regions Three and Four “B” followed, while Regions Eight, Five, and Seven recorded the lowest levels of serious crime.
In his review of long-term data, Blanhum said that robberies of all categories have steadily declined over the last decade, with 2025 registering the lowest figure in ten years. Robberies involving firearms remained the most common form of armed attack this year, and temporal analysis revealed that most occurred between 18:00h and midnight. He said this information proved crucial in shaping the Force’s response. “Our resources were deployed optimally during those peak hours, resulting in 63 fewer reported attacks when compared to last year,” he explained.
The Crime Chief said break-and-enter and larceny continued to be the most prevalent offences nationally, although 2025 still recorded the smallest number of such cases in a decade. Reports of human trafficking also dropped to their lowest point in ten years, with 13 cases recorded and two matters already before the courts.
Guyana, he added, has maintained its Tier One ranking for compliance with international anti-trafficking standards due to continued collaboration with both local and overseas agencies.
Law enforcement efforts were also intensified in the area of narcotics. Blanhum disclosed that the Police Force seized 233 kilograms (kg) of cocaine this year, a dramatic increase from the six kg intercepted in 2024. The GPF also destroyed 208 acres of cannabis farms and charged 244 persons for marijuana-related offences, along with 58 persons for cocaine possession. He emphasised that Guyana remains a known transhipment point for cocaine and said the GPF has expanded its operations at checkpoints and strategic choke points to intercept drug networks.
Blanhum did not shy away from addressing misconduct within the Force. He revealed that 15 Police ranks were charged this year with serious criminal offences, including murder, rape, robbery under arms, and robbery with aggravation. He said the GPF remains committed to rooting out corruption and holding its members to the highest standards of professional conduct.