Police stats for 2023 reveal that 20 minors were arrested among 246 youth

Compared to the year before, 2023 saw a slight increase in the
number of criminal activities to which the Police had to respond,
says Police Commissioner Atlee Rodney, who also reveals that youth
violence and criminality are a serious cause for concern.
 
During the January 11 post-Cabinet press briefing, Rodney claimed
that 2023 saw a large number of cases being solved – including
some from the previous year and beyond.
 
Further, he says there was a greater number of arrests for matters
that are pending before the Magistrates’ Court and the High Court of
Justice.
 
According to the commissioner, more search warrants were
executed; more stop-and-search exercises were undertaken; and

more patrols were conducted. These were to the benefit of the
organization, he notes, since more unlicensed firearms were seized
than in the previous year.

In 2022 some 36 weapons were recovered by the Police, while 70
were seized in 2023 – 66 of which were lethal weapons and four
imitations.
 
This feat, Rodney says, shows the commitment of his officers and the
cooperation of the public in helping the Police to solve crime.
 
Meanwhile, Rodney says that youth violence and youth crimes are of
great concern to the Force, especially because a number of these
activities are being committed by persons under the age of 18 years.
 
Arrests for various offences during the past year included 20
minors, he reports.

And, according to the commissioner, quite a number of young
people – 69 males and 70 females – were the victims of criminal
activities last year, and they ranged in age from 10 to 25 years old.
 
However, in the age range of 14 to 25 years, specifically, 246
persons were arrested for various crimes.
 
Accordingly, the Police are committed to working with other
stakeholders to address youth violence and crime, Commissioner
Rodney says.