Saint Lucia: Statistics on crime rates; reports of crime to the police; percentage of reports that lead to police investigations and court procedures; number of convictions (2003-2005)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 6 December 2005 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LCA100718.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Saint Lucia: Statistics on crime rates; reports of crime to the police; percentage of reports that lead to police investigations and court procedures; number of convictions (2003-2005), 6 December 2005, LCA100718.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/45f147f925.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Comments | Corrected version March 2007 |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following crime statistics produced for 2002, 2003 and 2004 by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force were published on the government statistics department Website. Offences are categorized into six groupings: 1) Against Lawful Authority, 2) Against Public Morality, 3) Against the Person, 4) Against Property, 5) Firearm Offences, and 6) Drug Offences. Each offence is then divided into number of "cases reported," "cases accepted," "cases detected" or investigated, and percentage of cases "cleared up" or finalized. The total number of crimes reported to the police from the six categories was 13,497 for 2002, 13,273 for 2003, and 13,252 for 2004.
The following table provides percentage values for major crime types, as calculated from the annual total number of crimes reported:
| Crime Type / Year | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
| Crimes Against Property | 49.2 % | 47.7 % | 48.8 % |
| Crimes Against Person | 37.2 % | 38.5 % | 38.4 % |
| Drug Crimes | 4.7 % | 3.9 % | 3.2 % |
| Firearm Crimes | 1.2 % | 1.6 % | 1.5 % |
| Total Reported | 13,497 | 13,273 | 13,252 |
With regard to crimes processed by the police, the following table shows how many reported crimes were investigated and finalized per year:
| Crime / Year | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
| Total Crimes | 13,497 | 13,273 | 13,252 |
| Crimes Investigated | 5,131 | 3,987 | 4,200 |
| Crimes Finalized | 39.4 % | 29.9 % | 32.5 % |
The government statistics Website also shows the number of persons arrested, persons summoned to court, and cases addressed by the court:
| Crime | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
| Arrested | 5,157 | 4,005 | 3,972 |
| Summoned | 318 | 103 | 175 |
| Addressed by Court | 1,838 | 130 | 777 |
For details on particular crimes, please refer to the attached documents from the Website of the statistics department.
The following table offers a comparison between crime statistics for Saint Lucia and those for Canada:
| Crime / Year | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
| Homicide | 35 (SL*) 2 (C**) | 33 (SL) 2 (C) | 32 (SL) 2 (C) |
| Sexual Assault | 102 (SL) 78 (C) | 132 (SL) 74 (C) | 123 (SL) 74 (C) |
| Robbery | 5035 (SL) 3584 (C) | 4709 (SL) 3724 (C) | 4952 (SL) 3576 (C) |
* Saint Lucia (SL) statistics based on an estimated population of 160,000 (Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005). Figures are based on Government of St. Lucia Statistics Department Website, by year.
** Canada (C) statistics are rates per 100,000 persons (Canada July 2005).
According to the United States Department of State's annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), the police arrested 634 individuals for drug-related offences in 2002 (INCSR 2002 Mar. 2003), 495 in 2003 (INCSR 2003 Mar. 2004) and 399 in 2004 (INCSR 2005 Mar. 2005). However, the government of Saint Lucia provided different statistics for drug-related arrests, noting that 644 people were arrested for drug crimes in 2002 (St. Lucia 2002), 523 in 2003 (ibid. 2003), and 424 in 2004 (ibid. 2004).
While government crime statistics for 2005 were not available, news sources reported that crime, specifically violent crime has apparently increased in 2005 (Global Insight 10 Oct. 2005; BBC 7 Oct. 2005; Caribbean Net News 30 July 2005). In an October 2005 news article, international news source Global Insight reported that the police recorded their 32nd and 33nd murders for the 2005 year to date (10 Oct. 2005). The BBC also reported that the number of murders in Saint Lucia had reached an "unprecedented 33, compared to 27 for the same time last year" (7 Oct. 2005). Global Insight further noted that since 1998, violent crime statistics have been rising steadily each year (10 Oct. 2005). Freedom House partially corroborated this information, stating that "the murder rate has more than doubled from 14 in 1998 to 33 each for 2002 and 2003; there were 37 homicides in 2004" (11 Aug. 2005).
However, the preceding data partially contrasts with police statistics mentioned earlier, which demonstrated that the police registered 35 murders in 2002 (St. Lucia 2002), 33 in 2003 (ibid. 2003), and 32 in 2004 (ibid. 2004).
Despite these contradictions, various international sources have mentioned that much of the violent crime committed is fuelled by drug-related activities (Freedom House 11 Aug. 2005; Global Insight 10 Oct. 2005). According to Foreign Affairs Canada, crime activities, including illegal drug operations are centred in the districts of Marchand, Broglie, St. Grass, St. Leslie Land, and Wilton Yard (Canada 26 July 2005).
Court procedures
In its latest publication on judicial systems from 2002-2003, the Justice Studies Center of the Americas (JSCA) provided the following information about the country's criminal courts:
Saint Lucia's criminal system follows the English common law tradition and is accusatory and mostly oral.
Less serious crimes are processed by the Magistrates Court. The procedure in these cases includes a preliminary hearing and, if the accused is found guilty, a sentence laid down by the judge, which allows a trial to be avoided.
More serious cases involve a preliminary investigation, which is carried out by the Director of Public Prosecution, a hearing stage, which is handled by the Magistrates Court, and a trial stage, which takes place in High Court and involves a judge and a twelve-member jury charged with arriving at a sentence (JSCA 2002-2003; see also Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 1.e.).
The JSCA further reported that in Saint Lucia criminal cases took "1 to 2 years to resolve in the Magistrate's Court and between 1 and 3 years in the High Court" (2002-2003). However, according to Country Reports 2004, despite a significant backlog of court cases, the average duration of trials in the Magistrate's court was three to six months, and six to twelve months for "non-petty criminal cases" (28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 1.e.).
In August 2005, the Saint Lucian government highlighted a number of initiatives undertaken to improve access to justice, including the renovations of court buildings, the establishment of a Court Reporting Unit and a new Criminal Division within the High Court (St. Lucia 11 Aug. 2005). The cumulative effect of these improvements has been to improve the "quality and efficiency" of the court system (ibid.).
State response to crime
Various sources reported that the government of Saint Lucia has responded to the perceived increased rate of crime by bolstering criminal laws (Caribbean Net News 23 Aug. 2005); reintroducing capital punishment (ibid. 30 July 2005); strengthening the police force with additional officers (ibid. 17 Aug. 2005), new police units (ibid. 23 Aug. 2005), training (Saint Lucia 28 June 2004) and infrastructural renewal (ibid.); and continuing its five-year community policing plan to improve law enforcement service (Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005 Sec. 1.d.).
In December 2004, the Saint Lucian government announced that the country's revised Criminal Code, containing new provisions outlawing crimes such as kidnapping and stalking, would take effect on 1 January 2005 (16 Dec. 2004). Moreover, the "new Code has introduced stiffer penalties for some common crimes," such as rape and robbery (St. Lucia 16 Dec. 2004).
However, in February 2005, a number of lawyers spoke out against the revised Criminal Code, stating that it should be repealed immediately (The Mirror 11 Feb. 2005). In particular, some attorneys noted that the revised Code was "clogging the High Court with petty offences for trial" (ibid.). Attorney Marcus Foster complained that the government had not considered input from the country's legal professionals when it was preparing the Code (ibid.).
In November 2005, the Caribbean Net News reported that the Senate had passed a proposed law allowing police to intercept private telephone conversations in criminal investigations (8 Nov. 2005). The Interception and Communications Bill needs only final ratification by the Governor General before it comes into law (Caribbean Net News 8 Nov. 2005).
In July 2005, the Caribbean Net News reported that Saint Lucia had decided to reinstate capital punishment for death row prisoners, ten years after this practice was last used (30 July 2005). The government saw the reintroduction of capital punishment as an effective method of crime deterrence, especially in light of the perceived increase in homicides (Caribbean Net News 30 July 2005). Opponents of the plan to bring back the death penalty claim that this move was "premature" (ibid.). In August 2005, the Prime Minister stated that in taking a hard-line approach to crime, his administration was "committed to hanging convicted murderers" (ibid. 23 Aug. 2005). Information on whether any inmates have been executed could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
With regard to strengthening law enforcement, while Country Reports 2004 noted that the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force was staffed with 704 officers (28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 1.d.), the Caribbean Net News noted in August 2005 that, with the recruitment of new personnel, the force now totalled 941 officers (17 Aug. 2005). The Prime Minister also mentioned that the police have added Rapid Response Units and a Beach Rangers Patrol to the force (Caribbean Net News 23 Aug. 2005; Saint Lucia 28 June 2004). The Rapid Response Units operate mainly in Gros Islet, Castries and Vieux Fort and are reportedly staffed by "former police officers and special constables" (ibid.). The Beach Rangers are responsible for patrolling the country's beaches in order to protect citizens and tourists from criminal elements (ibid.).
In order to ameliorate the training of police officers, the government of Saint Lucia invited law enforcement officials from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to review police procedures and provide recommendations (ibid.). Subsequently, the RCMP provided training and recommendations regarding evidence handling and crime scene investigation techniques, as well as offering advice on crime detection and prosecution tactics (ibid.).
In an effort to combat crime and improve police service, old police stations have been renovated and new police stations are being built (ibid.). Specifically, five stations have been renovated; three new ones have been built; and three more were planned for construction (ibid.).
Moreover, without providing details, Country Reports 2004 noted that the 2003-2008 community policing plan to "increase professionalism, prevent crime, and address customer service issues" continued to be implemented (28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 1.d.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 7 October 2005. "Crime Help Call from St Lucia." Canada. 26 July 2005. Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Foreign Affairs Canada. "Saint Lucia." Travel Report. Caribbean Net News. 8 November 2005. Shervon Alfred. "St Lucia Senate Passes 'Phone-Tapping' Law." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2004. 28 February 2005. "St Lucia." United States Department of State. Freedom House. 11 August 2005. "St. Lucia." Freedom in the World 2005. Global Insight. 10 October 2005. Marion Barbel. Daily Analysis. "High Crime Levels Cause Concerns in St Lucia." (Factiva)
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report 2005 (INCSR 2005). March 2005. "St Lucia." United States (US) Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. International Narcotics Control Strategy Report 2003 (INCSR 2003). March 2004. "St Lucia." US Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. International Narcotics Control Strategy Report 2002 (INCSR 2002). 1 March 2003. "St Lucia." US Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Justice Studies Centre of the Americas (JSCA). 2002-2003. "Saint Lucia." Report on Judicial Systems in the Americas 2002-2003. The Mirror [Castries]. 11 February 2005. Chrystal Archer. "Burn the Code: Lawyers up in Arms Against New Crime Laws." Saint Lucia. 11 August 2005. Summit Implementation Report Related to the Mandates Given by the Third Summit of the Americas and the Monterrey Summit. (Summit of the Americas Website) Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites, including: Amnesty International, Child Rights Information Network (CRIN), European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Factiva, Human Rights Watch, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World News Connection (WNC).
Attachments
Saint Lucia. 2004. The Central Statistical Office of Saint Lucia. "Crime Statistics – January to December, 2004."
_____. July 2005. Juristat. Catalogue 82-002-XPE, Vol. 25, No. 5. Julie Sauve. Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics. "Crime Statistics in Canada, 2004." (Hamilton Police Website)
_____. 23 August 2005. Shervon Alfred. "St Lucia PM Denies His Government is Soft on Crime."
_____. 17 August 2005. "Increased Police Presence in St Lucia."
_____. 30 July 2005. Shervon Alfred. "St Lucia to Resume Executions."
_____. 16 December 2004. Press Release. "New Criminal Code Comes into Force on New Year's Day."
_____. 28 June 2004. Conversations with the Nation. "We Are Fighting Crime!"
_____. 2004. The Central Statistical Office of Saint Lucia. "Crime Statistics – January to December, 2004."
_____. 2003. The Central Statistical Office of Saint Lucia. "Crime Statistics – January to December, 2003."
_____. 2002. The Central Statistical Office of Saint Lucia. "Crime Statistics – January to December, 2002."
_____. 2003. The Central Statistical Office of Saint Lucia. "Crime Statistics – January to December, 2003."
_____. 2002. The Central Statistical Office of Saint Lucia. "Crime Statistics – January to December, 2002."
