Crime in Belize

The main reported risks in Belize include violent crime, armed robbery, home invasion, murder, sexual assault, gang-linked violence, burglary and theft. In 2025, burglary represented about 55% of 1,089 Major Crimes. Robbery increased by 7% compared with 2024. Belize District accounted for 424 cases, or about 39% of the national total. The reported murder rate was 21.7 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024. Tourism areas also face crime risks, and Southside Belize City, between the Haulover Creek Canal and Fabers Road, has the highest concentration of violent crime. Avoid walking or driving at night where local conditions make this unsafe, keep valuables and ATM transactions discreet, and do not resist an armed robber. Scams, online romance fraud and real-estate fraud also require caution. Check payment requests, identities, contracts and property claims independently before transferring money or sharing documents. Call 911 for immediate danger, an ongoing offence, serious injury or a medical emergency. Call 922 for anonymous Crime Stoppers Belize information. For a non-emergency, contact the local Belize Police Department station. The Belmopan Main Office can be reached at 822-2220 and the Belize City station at 207-2222. The Police Information and Technology Unit can be contacted at pitu@police.net.bz or by WhatsApp at +501 612-9764; responses depend on its business hours. A report should state the time, location, sequence of events, suspect or vehicle descriptions, weapons, injuries and property damage. A formal statement and a clear request for prosecution are practically relevant when police begin an investigation. The identity of a 911 caller is not mandatory, but anonymous information can also be sent through Crime Stoppers Belize. Police complaints can be directed to the Professional Standards Branch, including anonymously through Crime Stoppers. The Belize Police Department's Crime Control and Prevention Strategy 2025-2029 includes community policing, Neighborhood Watch and youth mentorship. Citizens on Patrol is voluntary: participants receive three days of training, patrol in pairs, carry no weapons and have no power to arrest. The programme expects at least four hours of patrol each week. Participants must not confront suspects, conduct self-help investigations or use force outside their lawful authority. People affected by gender-based violence or domestic violence can use the GBV Referral Pathway, which connects health care, psychosocial support, security and protection, legal and justice services, and economic reintegration. The 24/7 A-WAY-OUT hotline is 0-800-292-9688, with SMS and WhatsApp at 672-9628. The Women and Family Support Department, National Women's Commission and district Women's Departments provide relevant public support, while organisations such as Haven House and Mary Open Doors offer functional shelter, counselling or court-advocacy services. Access and capacity vary by district and provider. GBV reports fell by 17%, or 464 reports, in 2025; about eight in ten domestic-violence cases involved people aged 18 to 45, and about eight in ten complainants were female. Belize does not have a comprehensive national victim-compensation or uniform victim-support system established by the reviewed information. The Police Information Technology Cyber Unit recorded 44 cybercrime reports from January through October 2024: 27 cyberbullying cases, 11 obscenity cases, two cyber-fraud cases, two illegal-computer-access cases and one child-luring case, with one additional report in the published total. Court action was requested in 31 cases, or 70%. The Cybercrime Act, Act No. 32 of 2020, Cap. 106:01, covers conduct such as illegal access, data or system interference, illegal devices or codes, computer forgery, identity-related fraud or theft, child luring, publication of private images, and online coercion, harassment or intimidation. Report digital crime through 911 when there is immediate danger or through 922 for anonymous information; the reviewed sources do not establish a separate public cybercrime portal. Certain people in Belize have a duty to report suspected child abuse without delay, orally or in writing, to the Belize Police Department or the responsible Department. This includes family members, teachers, social workers, school counsellors, child-care institutions, school leaders, probation officers, police officers and relevant government employees. The authorities should investigate forthwith and assess protection needs; emergency protection can last for up to 48 hours. Youth-prevention measures include community policing, mentorship and local curfews. There is no nationwide curfew for adults. Local rules can differ: examples include restrictions for children aged 16 or younger in San Pedro, usually 21:00 from Sunday to Thursday and 22:00 on Friday and Saturday, and restrictions on unaccompanied children aged 17 or younger in Belize City's Southside after 21:00. Confirm current local rules with the responsible local authority.