Chang touts gains in crime fighting as murders drop to 25-year low

  

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang has revealed historic gains by the police as the country records a continued decline in the number of murders documented monthly, quarterly and annually in the last 25 years. 

 

The security minister revealed that for the period January 1 to May 5, 2025, the country recorded 237 murders, representing 148 fewer lives lost compared to the similar period last year. This also represented a 38.4% reduction. 

 

Dr. Chang said as at Wednesday morning there has been a 39% reduction in murders. The minister, who gave a breakdown of the figures, said the inroads made by law enforcement remain promising and consistent. 

 

"We have had four months of consistency - December, January, February, March, April. The lowest weekly murder count in 2024 was six murders in Christmas week of 2024. It was the most peaceful Christmas we had in 25 years. The weekly murder rate, in fact, had been on decline since September of last year, except for one week in November. The lowest murder numbers for a month has been in this year. It went to 48 in February, which was the lowest in 25 years, and last month it went to 44, which is the lowest in a very long time," he touted. 

 

The minister said the first quarter of 2025 recorded the lowest quarterly murder rate, with 187 homicides. Additionally, there have been eight weeks of homicide below 15.

 

While major crimes are down 20%, the minister admitted that there is some level of insecurity, but the police remain resolute. He said the show of confidence in the policing methods displayed by those in command is bearing fruit, as there is a positive turnaround in public trust into some troubled areas.

 

"One of the outcomes of that is that institutions and communities that did not want to see the police at certain point in time, are now calling on the police for support and help. And we're seeing to what extent we can extend ourselves while we continue to do the community work that is required," he said, adding that this has been boosted by the expanded and modernised curricula at the police training college.

 

Dr. Chang was speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday morning.