This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NASSAU 000071 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: BAHAMAS - CRIME STATISTICS AND TRENDS 
 
REF: SECSTATE 228796 
 
 
 ¶1. (SBU) Statistics from the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) just 
released show that during 2005 there has been a 10 per cent increase in 
serious crime recorded in Nassau, with increasing figures reported for 
murder, armed robbery, attempted robbery and unlawful sexual assaults. 
Serious crime has also increased by 33 percent in Grand Bahama, a 
constituent post, which also has Customs and Border Protection and DEA 
personnel who fall under Chief of Mission authority. The fastest 
growing 
trend in Nassau and Grand Bahama, according to figures released by the 
RBPF on January 9, 2005, is hit style killings. Statistical information 
has shown a 15 per cent increase in the total amount of murders 
recorded 
from 44 in 2004 to 52 in 2005, of which several hit style killings were 
carried out to intimidate individuals from acting as witnesses in 
court. 
 
¶2. (SBU) During 2005, many establishments frequented by Embassy 
employees 
and tourist from the United States have been robbed by armed 
individuals. 
This trend continues, during the evening of 7 January 2006, the City 
Market grocery store was robbed by two armed thieves. The store is an 
American style facility located in a large tourist section of Nassau 
known 
as Cable Beach. The store is also typically the sole grocery store used 
by 
USG personnel. Two masked gunmen entered the store around 1900 hours 
demanding money. Upon taking an undetermined amount of money, the men 
escaped in a white Nissan Sentra. The Police were called to the scene 
and 
minutes later, observed a vehicle fitting the description of the 
getaway 
car and gave chase. An exchange of gunfire between the suspects and 
police 
occurred in a quiet residential neighborhood. One of the suspects was 
shot 
in the upper back area and died at the scene. Police indicated the 
suspected who was fatally shot was also wearing a bullet proof vest. 
The 
second suspect escaped, and the Police have launched an island wide 
manhunt for this individual, which they have yet to locate. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Crime Statistics in Nassau: 
 
Crimes Against Person 2005/YTD 2004/YTD %CHANGE 
 
Murder      52 
44   15 
Attempted Murder     0 
0    0 
Manslaughter      2 
2    0 
Rape       80 
86   -7 
Attempted Rape     23 
31  -26 
Unlawful Sexual Intercourse 189     183    3 
Armed Robbery    782 
659  16 
Robbery     198 
200  -1 
Attempted Robbery    28 
18  36 
 
SUB-TOTAL     1354 
1223  10 
 
Crimes Against Property  2005/YTD 2004/YTD %CHANGE 
Burglary      252 
188  25 
Housebreaking    2228 
1997  10 
Shop breaking    1343 
1463  -8 
Stealing     1483 
3793  -62 
Stealing From Vehicles   720      1688 
-57 
Stolen Vehicle     846 
7171  15 
 
SUB-TOTAL     6827 
9846  -31 
 
TOTAL     8181 
11,069 -26 
 
¶4. (SBU) The Regional Security Office is closely working with the Royal 
Bahamas Police Force on these issues and has stressed the growing 
concern 
of the above mentioned patterns, especially during this upcoming Spring 
Break season. During Spring Break sexual assaults against American 
tourist 
are extremely high. The Regional Security Office has also stressed this 
growing pattern of violent to Embassy personnel, reminding employees to 
always be vigilant about their surroundings. 
HARDT