Soaring violent and property crime in the first five months of 2025 may reflect growing economic desperation, the island’s crime research body said on Friday.
Senior Research Analyst at the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit, Kirt Goodridge, delivering the findings at a meeting at Baobab Towers on Friday, revealed that major crimes against the person surged by 41 per cent compared with the same period in 2024. Between January and May 2025, 248 such crimes were recorded, up from 176 in the previous year. Robberies accounted for the majority at 46 per cent (113 cases), followed by serious bodily harm at 25 per cent (62 cases).
“This increase is driven primarily by a near-doubling in robberies, which rose by 95 per cent year on year,” Goodridge confirmed. March recorded the highest incidence of violent crime, followed by April and February.
Equally troubling was the rise in major property crimes, which climbed by nine per cent to 504 cases in 2025.
Commercial burglaries jumped 45 per cent to 97 cases, while criminal damage made up 40 per cent of incidents.
“While residential burglaries declined slightly by four per cent, the spike in commercial break-ins is concerning and may reflect rising economic desperation,” Goodridge said.
Theft-related crimes also rose seven per cent year-on-year, totalling 462 cases. Of note were dramatic increases in crop and livestock theft (150 per cent), motor vehicle theft (67 per cent), and shoplifting (52 per cent).
“These crimes not only affect individuals but threaten food security and small business sustainability,” said Goodridge, citing the 20 reported agricultural thefts and 50 stolen vehicles.
Despite some categories, such as theft from motor vehicles and agricultural produce, showing modest declines, the broader trend points to worsening criminality on the island.
According to the data, theft of agricultural produce decreased by one incident in the period January 1 to May 31 compared with the same period in 2024, representing a five per cent decrease.
This means there was one more theft of agricultural produce in 2024 than in 2025 for that timeframe.
Firearm-enabled offences have also surged significantly, with 138 such crimes recorded during the period — a 42 per cent increase from 2024.
Firearm-enabled robberies more than doubled, jumping 112 per cent.
“Robberies involving firearms are now a significant driver of crime”, Goodridge noted. “Firearm-enabled crimes accounted for 61 per cent of murders in 2025 so far, underscoring the dangerous role of guns in violent crime.”
He highlighted that “use of firearms offences rose by 70 per cent, while possession of firearms increased by 24 per cent”, reflecting a worrying proliferation of weapons.
The data also revealed a gender and age profile of victims and offenders: 94 per cent of murder victims were male, with an average age of 31, while the average age of those arrested was 28.
“Most firearm-enabled murders occurred on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 45 per cent took place in St Michael,” Goodridge added, pinpointing hotspots and patterns that could assist law enforcement efforts.
Delving deeper into the underlying causes, Goodridge emphasised that crime in Barbados is “multifactorial” and deeply rooted in socio-economic and community challenges.
He outlined seven key risk factors identified through multiple studies, including socio-economic deprivation, community environment, family and social bonds, education and occupational factors, individual behaviours, substance abuse and mental health, and access to weapons.“Poverty and unemployment leave many youths idle and vulnerable to gang recruitment. The absence of social welfare nets and limited mental health services reduce pro-social outlets, increasing susceptibility to crime.”
He painted a picture of neighbourhoods suffering from disinvestment and low police visibility, where “influential dons institutionalise gang structures by distributing resources in exchange for loyalty.”
Family breakdown and poor parenting were also cited as critical drivers.
“Over half of incarcerated individuals reported being raised by single mothers, often in unstable homes with conflict and financial stress,” Goodridge said. “This weakens emotional support systems and increases vulnerability.”
Educational disengagement was another major concern. “Seventy-one per cent of inmates left school without qualifications, and early dropout correlates strongly with offending,” he noted. “Low skill attainment limits legal employment options, trapping youths in a cycle of crime.”
Individual factors such as early gang entry and peer pressure compound the problem. “Two-thirds of gang-affiliated inmates joined between ages 10 and 19, with 22 per cent joining under 10. Money remains a primary motivation, cited by 27 per cent of offenders.”
Substance abuse and mental health issues play a significant role as well.
“Eighty per cent of inmates had used marijuana before incarceration, many starting between ages 10 and 15, and 39 per cent were under influence during their offences,” he added. “Over a quarter had received psychiatric care, highlighting gaps in community-based mental health support.”
Lastly, the ready availability of illegal firearms dramatically heightens violence risk: “Forty-five per cent of inmates on firearm charges said acquiring a gun was easy or very easy. Gang-related homicides accounted for 35 per cent of murders from 2018 to 2020, revealing the lethal nexus of organised crime and weapons.”
Goodridge added that effective crime prevention requires a coordinated, multi-pronged approach: “Economic uplift through job creation and vocational training, educational support with retention programmes, family strengthening initiatives, youth engagement activities, substance use interventions, and tackling weapon proliferation must all work in tandem.”
“Only by addressing these interconnected drivers can we reduce crime, rebuild trust, and open positive pathways for vulnerable youths,” he stressed.
The stark rise in violent and property crimes in early 2025 paints a worrying picture for Barbados, demanding urgent and sustained action across social, economic, and law enforcement sectors.
As Goodridge warned, “The challenge is complex, but the cost of inaction is far greater for our communities and future generations.” (SZB)
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