PoliceCrimeReportCOVID192020 Low level of criminal activities recorded during COVID-19 restrictions |07 May 2020

The police recorded a drop in the level of criminal activities during the period of movement restrictions imposed as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

It was assistant superintendent Jean Toussaint, the police spokesperson, who made the statement during a briefing with the press yesterday morning at the Police headquarters, Victoria, on crime statistics during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown.

He noted though that the police are very satisfied with their operation to contain crime during the lockdown.

With the easing of restrictions of movement in regards to the security measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, he said the police are reminding the public to be more aware of their responsibility in safeguarding their properties and personal belongings.

Mr Toussaint said that there had been a -11% reduction in reactive crimes for the period of January to April 2020 where 1130 cases were recorded compared to 1273 cases recorded for the same period in 2019.

He noted that the positive impact that the severe lockdown had on crime for the month of April 2020 alone was significant with only 195 reactive crime cases recorded compared to 349 cases for April 2019, representing a reduction of -44%. The crimes recorded in that period include thefts, building and house break-ins, offence against persons and other domestic related and severe crimes.

Assistant superintendent Toussaint claimed that the police believe that their presence on the ground and the fact that people were in confinement were the main reason for the drop in criminal activities.

Now that the situation have started to change, with the removal of restriction of movement, Mr Toussaint noted that the police are expecting a rise in criminal activities given the fact that fewer or no persons will be at home due to work or other commitments.

He said in view of that situation, evaluated through a crime threat analysis, all regional commanders will be deploying their resources to the maximum to contain crimes that may further rise in the districts and communities.

“Even though the police will as usual be active on the ground, it is important that people make it their responsibility to be more aware of potential dangers in relation to crime and they must take extra precautions so that they do not fall prey to potential thefts,” Mr Toussaint said, highlighting on the need to secure homes, businesses and personal belongings.

He also said that they were also satisfied on how things went during the COVID-19 restriction though it could have been better considering the number of arrests (around 600) made during that period which could have been avoided if those involved had respected the restrictions in force.

Mr Toussaint also commended the very good cooperation the police received from the public.

Though the police were engaged in some conflicting incidents with some members of the public, he said that in general the police are satisfied with the way their officers discharged their duties.

He stated that the police are conducting investigations in some of those conflicting incidents following complaints by some members of the public.

He noted that with the easing of restriction of movement in the post COVID-19, some people are still not complying with other measures still in force especially with regard to social distancing at service providers such as shops and banks, transportation and groupings etc..

He said that the police are calling on members of the public to make it their responsibility to abide by those regulations so that the country can achieve its goal and objective of defeating the virus as fast as possible.

Assistant superintendent Toussaint noted that, aside from their normal operations, the police are continuing with their COVID-19 operations in regard to social distancing and other related crimes and they are reminding the public that it is an offence under the health act at the moment for shops to be opened after 8pm.

Patrick Joubert