Crime in the Cayman Islands has remained low since first being recorded. The British Overseas Territory is known for being one of the safest jurisdictions in the Caribbean.
People are advised to take caution in areas where crime is known to occur, such as downtown George Town and parts of West Bay. It is rare to be the victim of a serious crime, but pickpocketing and muggings are possible.
In 2010, the homicide rate in the Cayman Islands was 15.88 per 100,000 people. It decreased to 8.22 per 100,000 people in 2014.[1] The homicide rate further decreased to 7.99 per 100,000 people in 2022.[2]
A 2021 report released by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service revealed crime in the Cayman Islands rose by 3.9%. Gun-related crime rose by 88%, sexual offenses rose by 10%, and domestic violence decreased 13%.[3] There were also 34,093 reported incidents to the police that same year.
On the 25 February 2024, a mass shooting occurred during a football game at the Ed Bush Field in West Bay where upwards of 7 people were shot. This event shocked the Cayman Islands as an incident of this magnitude was almost unheard of as crime rarely spills over into the public domain. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said they assume this occurred due to heightened tensions between rival gangs in George Town and West Bay.[4]