Total Arrests Under Jamaica's Crime Stop Programme Jump 38 Per Cent

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Total arrests under Jamaica’s Crime Stop Programme increased by 38.2 per cent to 76 in 2025, while reward payments climbed to approximately J$10.3 million (US$65,176), as the country also recorded a sharp decline in murders and other major violent crimes.

The figures are contained in the Planning Institute of Jamaica’s (PIOJ) Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2025, tabled in the House of Representatives on June 30.

According to the report, 76 arrests were made through the Crime Stop Programme in 2025, up from 55 the previous year. Reward payments also increased from J$7.5 million (US$47,458) in 2024.

“These outcomes reflected the continued use of the programme as a mechanism for citizen engagement and operational support to policing efforts,” the report stated.

It added that although reporting levels and enforcement outcomes fluctuated compared with the previous year, the programme continued to produce arrests, seizures and financial recoveries across multiple areas.

The survey also pointed to an overall decline in Category One crimes during the year, driven by significant reductions in several major offences.

“Murder fell by 41 per cent to 675 incidents, while shooting incidents decreased by 30.8 per cent to 696. Rape also declined by 26.3 per cent to 325 cases. In contrast, aggravated assault increased by 41.3 per cent to 465 cases, while robbery and break-ins rose by 8.5 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively,” the report said.

A total of 1,528 people were arrested for Category One crimes in 2025.

Murder accounted for the largest number of arrests at 481, followed by 395 for shooting offences, 231 for robbery and 172 for aggravated assault.

By parish, St Andrew recorded the highest number of arrests with 297, followed by St Catherine with 197 and Kingston with 175.