A violent last 18 months in the BVI

Statistics from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF)

Statistics from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) reveal that 2023 recorded the highest number of crimes that resulted in serious harm or death over the past three years. In many instances, 2024 is closely trailing, indicating that the last 18 months have been a particularly violent period in the typically peaceful British Virgin Islands.

In total, there were 115 recorded instances of serious offences such as assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, manslaughter, attempted murder, and murder last year. Specifically, there were 98 cases of serious assault occasioning grievous bodily harm in 2023, up from 78 in 2022 and 95 in 2021. As of July this year, there have been 54 reported cases.

The previous year also saw a notable increase in attempted murder cases, with 11 recorded instances. This was significantly higher compared to 2020, 2021, and 2022, which had three, one, and four instances respectively. Up to July of this year, there have been five reported unsuccessful murder attempts. In 2023, the BVI experienced the highest number of murders in the past three years, with six recorded killings. So far in 2024, there have been five murders.