Crime Stop Tip-offs Yield 76 Arrests in 2025 as PIOJ Reward Payouts Climb

Arrests connected to Jamaica's Crime Stop Programme rose sharply in 2025, climbing 38.2 per cent to reach 76. Cash paid out to tipsters also increased, from $7.5 million in 2024 to approximately $10.3 million.

The data is set out in the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2025, which was laid before the House of Representatives on June 30.

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

The survey said reporting activity and enforcement results varied when measured against the year before, but the initiative still produced arrests, seizures, and financial recoveries in several operational areas.

At the same time, recorded Category One offences moved downward by the close of the year, with decreases across a number of major crime types.

"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 stated.

Law enforcement detained 1,528 people over Category One offences during 2025. Murder charges accounted for 481 arrests, with shooting-related offences next at 395, followed by robbery at 231 and aggravated assault at 172.

St. Andrew registered the highest parish arrest count with 297, ahead of St. Catherine on 197 and Kingston on 175.