Saint Lucia homicides drop 16% in 2026, but burglaries and road deaths climb

52 murders recorded between January and October 20, down from 62 in 2025. Burglaries rose 5% and fatal road collisions increased to 14.

Murder rate falls but road and property crime worsen in Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia recorded 52 homicides between January 1 and October 20, 2026 — a 16 per cent drop compared with the same period in 2025, when 62 killings were logged, St Lucia Times reports. All 52 cases were classified as murders. The figures were presented by Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Mashama Sealy at a police press conference on Thursday.

Despite the fall in homicides, other crime categories moved in the opposite direction. Burglary rose five per cent, from 374 cases in the corresponding 2025 period to 394 in 2026. Stealing from a person edged up by one per cent, from 268 to 270 cases.

Robbery fell two per cent, from 154 to 151 cases, while drug offences declined three per cent, from 311 to 301. Sexual offences decreased by seven per cent, from 163 to 152, and firearm offences dropped 25 per cent, from 254 to 190.

Across the island, police recorded a total of 13,731 crimes during the reporting period. The Central Division accounted for the largest share with 5,234 incidents, followed by the Southern Division with 5,029 and the Northern Division with 3,468.

Firearms drove three-quarters of killings

Guns were used in 39 of the 52 homicides, representing 75 per cent of all murders. Nine killings involved stabbings and four involved blunt force.

Police seized 52 firearms during the period — 42 classified as lethal and 10 as less lethal. The haul included 34 pistols, two rifles, two shotguns, four revolvers, one flare gun, four air rifles, two air pistols and three imitation firearms. Officers also recovered 1,609 live rounds of ammunition and six non-live rounds.

Drug seizures were also substantial. Police confiscated 2,184.374 kilogrammes of cannabis, 622.85 kilogrammes of cocaine and 45.952 kilogrammes of cannabis resin, along with 18,188 cannabis plants, 555 seedlings, 0.2 kilogrammes of crack cocaine and 0.03 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine.

Road deaths rise to 14

Traffic accidents increased across all three reported categories during the period. Fatal collisions rose eight per cent, from 13 in 2025 to 14 in 2026. Accidents resulting in serious damage climbed nine per cent, from 228 to 249, while those involving minor damage increased 13 per cent, from 1,908 to 2,154. A total of 2,417 traffic accidents were recorded island-wide.

Source: St Lucia Times