Guyana recorded a 16.9 per cent decline in serious crime during the first half of 2026, as the government continues to strengthen policing capabilities, surveillance infrastructure and community-based crime prevention.
The reduction is highlighted in the government’s 2026 mid-year report, which points to continued investments in law enforcement capacity and technology as part of efforts to improve public safety.
The decline comes against the backdrop of a broader effort to strengthen the Guyana Police Force through increased training, improved mobility and the expansion of intelligent surveillance systems.
The government’s 2026 programme sets a target of reducing the overall crime rate per 100,000 population from 6,832.49 in 2025 to 6,149.24 this year.
The target includes reductions in both non-vehicular and vehicular crime.
Murder also remains a key focus of the national crime-fighting strategy. The Police Force recorded 130 murders in 2025, with the 2026 target set at 117.
The government is simultaneously investing in the capacity of the force to investigate and prevent crime.
A target has been established to train 5,000 police officers and 500 detectives during 2026, compared with 3,997 officers and 293 detectives trained in 2025.
Technology is also playing an increasing role in the country’s crime-prevention strategy, particularly through the Safe Country Initiative, which is expanding the network of intelligent video surveillance systems across the country.
The investment is intended not only to assist in the detection of criminal activity but also to strengthen investigations and provide law enforcement with greater analytical capabilities.
The government is also seeking to strengthen the relationship between the police and communities through community policing initiatives while improving the Force’s transportation and operational infrastructure.
The latest reduction in serious crime builds on a decline recorded during the first half of 2025, when serious crimes fell by 25 per cent compared with the corresponding period in 2024.