Crime in Saint Kitts and Nevis

The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) serves both islands through St. Kitts Police Districts A and B and Nevis Police District C. Its crime work covers homicide, firearms, serious bodily harm, sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, break-ins, motor-vehicle theft, fraud, cybercrime, drugs, larceny, malicious damage and robbery. During the first half of 2026, the RSCNPF recorded 424 major crimes, detected 182 and recorded 26 juvenile cases. The detection rate was 42.9%. The largest categories were larceny with 162 cases, malicious damage with 75, bodily harm with 63 and break-ins with 45. Police also recorded 21 sex crimes, 6 firearms or ammunition cases, 5 drug cases, 4 homicide or manslaughter cases and 4 robberies. In the first half of 2025, the comparable figures were 436 recorded crimes, 193 detected and 24 juvenile cases; in the first half of 2024, they were 497, 217 and 23. The island comparison reported more cases on St. Kitts in absolute terms, while the detection rate was 45.6% on St. Kitts and 56.9% on Nevis. These absolute numbers do not establish which island has the higher per-person risk because a population denominator is required. For the full year 2024 compared with 2023, recorded crime fell by 11%. Homicide declined from 31 to 28 cases, firearm-related crime from 31 to 19, bodily harm from 161 to 144, larceny by 12% and drug offences by 5%. Sexual offences rose from 68 to 72 and robbery from 39 to 42, while break-ins fell by 1%. Police detected 16 of 28 homicides in 2024, a 57% homicide detection rate. Report an emergency or an immediate threat by calling 911. For the RSCNPF, the listed telephone number is 869-465-2241. The 707 Crime Hotline accepts anonymous information, and the RSCNPF also provides an online crime report for non-urgent matters. Police stations generally operate 24 hours, although some rural stations may close their doors after midnight. Give the location, time, type of offence and current threat, together with descriptions of suspects or vehicles and any photographs, videos or documents. Do not confront a suspected offender or use self-help violence. The relevant police units can include the Criminal Investigation Department, Violent Crime Unit, Local Intelligence Office, Forensics and Criminal Records Office. Victims of sexual violence, sexual abuse, domestic violence and juvenile abuse can contact the Special Victims Unit and related services. The Department of Gender Affairs lists 467-1223 and 765-5492; the National Counselling Centre lists 465-5000 and 662-8086; and Probation and Child Protection Services lists 467-1311 and 662-6833. These services can assist victims, children and other affected people. Domestic violence is underreported, so the number of police reports does not show the full extent of the problem. A safety plan can include a safe place, a code word, emergency contacts, a second telephone, changed usernames and passwords, and temporary safe accommodation where available through Gender Affairs. Youth support includes National Intervention and Community Policing, police youth development through sport and intervention, programmes for children aged 6 to 12 and teenagers aged 13 to 19, and the Summer Crime Intervention Soccer Camp. Child protection services can add counselling and a home assessment and may arrange removal from a dangerous household when the circumstances require it. The RSCNPF Crime Directorate handles fraud and cybercrime reports. The Department of Technology provides cybersecurity awareness and training while developing a national strategy. A separate public cybercrime reporting office was not identified in the available local information, so online reporting through the RSCNPF is the documented general option. Everyday precautions address the offences most often experienced in public and accommodation settings, including petty theft, pickpocketing, purse snatching, burglary, vehicle break-ins, armed robbery, sexual assault, shootings and homicide. Keep valuables and documents secured, carry little cash, lock accommodation and vehicles, and do not leave valuables in a car or at the beach. At night, avoid isolated roads and beaches, use well-lit busy roads, avoid travelling alone where possible, use licensed or clearly marked taxis, and do not leave drinks unattended. Crime reporting and victim-support fees were not specified in the reviewed information. Police information also does not replace advice about criminal charges, court proceedings or residence-related legal consequences.