Police: Crime Falls for Second Consecutive Year, 99.13% Clearance Rate Recorded

The PGM said 3,831 people were denied entry to the country in 2026, while 1,180 people identified as residing without valid permits or involved in other offences were deported from the TRNC.

Traffic fatalities also declined, with fatal accidents falling by 24% and deaths by approximately 15% compared with the same period last year.

The PGM also stressed that, due to changing crime patterns and growing needs, it had become necessary to increase the Police Force’s legally authorised personnel capacity from 3,000 to 4,500.

The Police General Directorate said the security situation in the TRNC should be assessed not through daily incidents or social media posts, but through comparable official data and measurable results.

In a statement, the PGM stressed that maintaining peace, security and public order was among the fundamental duties of the state, adding that changing conditions in the country should also be taken into account when assessing the security situation.

The statement said the sensitivity created in society by recent incidents involving violence, armed attacks, traffic accidents, drugs and violence against women was understood, adding: “No incident in which even one person is harmed is ordinary, insignificant or acceptable.”

The PGM said every incident was being treated with the same seriousness and that work was continuing uninterrupted to prevent crime, solve cases, bring perpetrators to justice and prevent similar incidents from recurring.

TOTAL NUMBER OF INCIDENTS CONTINUES TO FALL

According to comparative PGM data covering the January 1-July 31 periods, the total number of crimes and misdemeanours was recorded at 3,943 in 2021, 3,469 in 2022, 3,527 in 2023, 3,520 in 2024, 3,004 in 2025 and 2,751 in 2026.

The statement said the data showed a continuous decline in the total number of crimes and misdemeanours over the past two years, with a decrease of approximately 15% between 2024 and 2025 and around 8% between 2025 and 2026.

Compared with the same period in 2021, the total decline exceeded 30%.

The PGM said the figures showed that claims that crime was increasing uncontrollably did not reflect reality.

It said intensive inspections, effective measures and preventive measures carried out by the Police General Directorate had played an important role in the decline. The police force’s visibility on the ground, risk-based operations and strategic approach aimed at intervening before crimes occur were cited as key factors behind the positive trend.

3,831 PEOPLE DENIED ENTRY, 1,180 DEPORTED

The PGM said a total of 3,831 people were denied entry to the country in 2026 following interviews and assessments conducted by “Risk Analysis and Profiling Experts” alongside immigration officers.

Inspections carried out across the country also resulted in 1,180 people being deported from the TRNC, including individuals found to be residing without valid legal status and those involved in other offences.

CRIME CLEARANCE RATE REACHES 99.13%

The PGM said a country’s security situation should be assessed not only by the number of incidents that occur, but also by how quickly authorities respond, whether perpetrators are identified, and whether crimes are solved and brought before the courts.

The statement said the clearance rate for crimes had remained above 98% throughout each of the past six years. In the first seven months of 2026, the rate reached 99.13%, the highest level recorded during the period under review.

The PGM stressed that, in other words, almost all crimes committed had been solved.

It said the result was a concrete indication of the dedication of police officers, public sensitivity and cooperation, coordination between specialised units, intelligence activities and the capacity to respond rapidly to incidents.

“COMBATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IS AMONG OUR PRIORITIES”

The PGM stressed that violence against women was not merely an incident-based security issue, but a multifaceted social problem that directly affected human dignity and fundamental rights.

It said the Police General Directorate regarded combating violence against women as one of its highest-priority areas and was continuing its work in this field with determination.

The statement said the police force promptly assessed every report and application it received and implemented the necessary measures without delay to ensure victims’ safety.

It added that effectiveness, sensitivity and professionalism were prioritised in responding to incidents, with careful risk assessments conducted in every case.

The PGM stressed that it acted on the understanding that violence against women was never acceptable and would continue its efforts without interruption to prevent violence, protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.

24% DECLINE IN FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

The PGM said traffic was one of the country’s fundamental problems requiring particular attention, stressing that every loss of life was a serious consequence requiring stronger measures.

According to data covering the January 1-July 31 periods, 31 people died in 28 fatal traffic accidents in 2023, 28 people in 27 fatal accidents in 2024, 27 people in 25 fatal accidents in 2025, and 23 people in 19 fatal accidents in 2026.

Accordingly, in the first seven months of 2026, fatal traffic accidents fell by 24%, while the number of deaths declined by approximately 15% compared with the same period last year.

Compared with the same period in 2023, the decline in fatal traffic accidents reached approximately 32%, while the decrease in traffic-related deaths stood at around 26%.