Central Division police are reporting a significant reduction in serious crime for 2026, attributing the decline in homicides and other major offences to enhanced patrols, targeted policing strategies and a 43% detection rate for serious crimes.
According to Senior Superintendent Rudolph Bhagwandeen, Central Trinidad has seen increased operational activity, with more than 8,000 patrols conducted across the Division.
The Senior Superintendent said the focus on visibility and investigative techniques has contributed to a 43% detection rate for serious reported crimes.
“A look at the crime overview of Central Division, an analysis of crime for the period 1st January 2026 to the 10th of August 2026, when compared with the corresponding period in 2025, indicates a 19% decrease in overall reported serious crimes within the Central Division.”
The Division is also reporting a significant reduction in homicides. Twenty-five homicides were recorded between January 1st and August 10th, compared with 43 during the corresponding period last year.
“Being 25 for 2026 and 43 for the comparative period for 2025, representing a 42% reduction, which is a strong indicator of focused intervention against violent crimes. Out of the 25 homicides, four were solved thus far, and there is a great likelihood of solvability for two other homicides. These homicides, out of the 25, four are domestic, two are altercations, five drugs, four as a result of result of revenge, three in a robbery, and seven unknown.”
Overall serious crime in Central Division has declined by 19% compared with the same period in 2025. Police attribute this to targeted enforcement, intelligence gathering and efforts to improve the detection rate.
Stolen motor vehicles remain a priority for Central Division police, who say they are using faster information sharing, vehicle recovery efforts and hotspot policing to target those involved in vehicle-related crime.
“With respect to larceny motor vehicles, we have placed particular emphasis on the rapid circulation of information, vehicle recovery, hotspot policing, and identification of persons and networks involving vehicle-related crime. The current detection rate for larceny motor vehicles is 29% and we also have a 29% reduction in larceny motor vehicles in 2026, as compared to the same period in 2025.”
Senior Superintendent Bhagwandeen noted that the police will continue targeted operations and community engagement to sustain the decline in crime in Central Trinidad.