Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says that the sustained reduction in crime across the island, particularly murders, is not by accident but through the implementation of a strategic plan backed by significant investment.

“We’ve established Plan Secure Jamaica, backed it with a $90-million budget, investing in our security forces, and we’re now reaping our results,” he said.

Holness was addressing the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) 21st Regional Investment & Capital Markets Conference on Tuesday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, where he highlighted major gains made in crime fighting, including achieving a record 31-year low in murders in  2025.

The momentum has continued into 2026.

“In 2025, Jamaica recorded a 42 per cent reduction in homicides, compared to 2024. In 2023, we had an eight per cent reduction and in 2024, we had a 19 per cent reduction. As of today, we are 50 per cent below last year this time,” he highlighted.

Dr Holness said that the Government and the police have been clinical, strategic, deliberate and committed to reducing the ultimate index of violence in the society, which is the murder rate.

“We’re going into a fourth year of the Plan because all of this is by plan; it’s not by accident,” he emphasised.

Holness said that reducing crime not only enhances public safety but also boosts confidence in the economy, creating more opportunities for business and investment. He noted that crime “is a cost to our country”.

“Businesses will have to pay more for security, homeowners will have to pay more for security, [which] reduces your productivity, reduces your enjoyment and pursuit of happiness. Most of all, it destroys the brand that keeps people coming here—the brand of Jamaica,” he said.

Dr Holness reiterated Government’s efforts to ensure public safety, with intensified efforts to confront organised criminal enterprises that use violence for economic and social control.

“They are involved in drugs, guns, human trafficking, cybercrime, and other illegal activities. They use violence to make money and to control communities. When criminal groups are allowed to grow, they threaten the authority of the State. That is what Jamaica was facing. These groups were challenging the State and putting law-abiding citizens at risk.

“This is a serious national security threat. I am focused on addressing it directly. My responsibility is to protect our people, secure our communities, and uphold the rule of law across Jamaica,” the Prime Minister said.

He warned those involved in crime and persons who support their illicit activities will be pursued and dealt with firmly.

“We will be just, we will provide you with the opportunities, we will seek to ensure that you are properly integrated in the society, but there will be firm consequences for you if you decide to pursue a life of crime and depriving everybody else of their safety,” Holness said.

“We want you to become business owners. We want you to become entrepreneurs, because much of the efforts that they put into crime, if they were to put it into business, there would be successes,” he contended.