The Sierra Leone Police has reported an increase in criminal activities across the country in 2025, according to its newly released Annual Crime Statistics Report presented during a press conference in Freetown.
The report was officially unveiled on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, at the Senior Police Officers’ Mess in Kingtom, bringing together senior police officials and members of the media to review the nation’s security landscape over the past year.
Presenting highlights from the report, John Martin Senesie, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Director of Operations, outlined key policing activities and national security efforts undertaken by the force throughout 2025. He noted that the report serves as an important tool for assessing crime trends and guiding operational responses to emerging security challenges.
The official launch of the document was conducted by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Esther Mary Kaintor-Dukuray, who delivered the executive summary detailing the overall crime situation and patterns recorded nationwide.
According to the report, a total of 34,066 criminal and road traffic offences were recorded in 2025, representing a national crime rate of 0.38 percent, compared to 0.33 percent in 2024. The increase reflects a 0.05 percentage point rise, indicating a gradual upward trend in crime levels across the country.
Data contained in the report show that crime remains largely concentrated in urban and semi-urban centres, particularly within the Western Area, which accounted for 59 percent of all reported offences.
Within the capital, the Freetown East Region recorded the highest number of cases, with 11,603 offences, representing 34.1 percent of the national total. The Freetown West Region followed with 8,487 cases, accounting for 24.9 percent of reported incidents.
Beyond the Western Area, the Eastern Region registered 4,249 offences, making it the highest outside the capital, while the North West Region recorded the lowest figure with 2,613 cases.
The report also highlights the continued prevalence of crimes affecting vulnerable groups. Offences against Women and Children dominated the national crime profile with 15,188 reported cases, representing 44.6 percent of all recorded offences.
Crimes against property were the second most reported category, with 6,848 cases accounting for 20.1 percent of the total. Economic offences followed with 4,469 cases, representing 13.1 percent, while offences against the person stood at 3,956 cases, or 11.6 percent.
In relation to human trafficking, the report noted a slight increase in recorded incidents, rising from 85 cases in 2024 to 91 cases in 2025. Authorities reported that children accounted for 11 percent of the victims, while adults represented 89 percent. All the cases were prosecuted, with convictions secured in court.
The report further indicated that hundreds of criminal matters were processed through the judicial system during the year under review. Among the cases handled by the Legal and Justice Support Department, 614 were committed to the High Court, while 389 resulted in convictions, with offenders receiving sentences or fines.
Providing additional clarification during the briefing, Assistant Commissioner of Police Brima Kamara explained the crime statistics and their implications for national security. He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the handling of crime data and public information.
He further emphasised that the Sierra Leone Police continues to transform its institutional approach, moving from a traditional “Force” model to a more community-focused “Service”, aimed at strengthening professionalism, improving accountability and enhancing public trust.
The press briefing concluded with an interactive session in which journalists raised questions on the findings of the report and ongoing efforts to improve crime prevention and law enforcement across the country.