Call it the result of heightened awareness or cases going underreported, the country witnessed a slight decrease in the overall crime rate over the past two years. The Royal Bhutan Police’s latest statistics show that the decline was mostly observed across offences such as substance abuse, illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, cannabis, and larceny. However, the data also reveals an increase in cases of domestic violence and battery.
Despite noting a decrease in reported cases, substance abuse, illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and cannabis, and larceny were among the top five crimes reported in Bhutan in the past two years alongside battery and domestic violence.
According to police data, number of substance abuse cases dropped from over 1570 in 2023 to a little over 1500 last year. Similarly, incidents of illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and cannabis decreased from over 320 to over 240 during the same period.
However, cases of illegal possession of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances increased slightly, rising from three cases in 2023 to five last year.
Reported larceny cases also saw a drop, from close to 290 cases in 2023 compared to around 260 last year.
On the other hand, battery and domestic violence cases increased during the last two years.
From over 490 in 2023, reported battery cases increased to nearly 520 last year. Similarly, domestic violence cases increased from 415 to close to 430 during the same period.
According to the police, this rise can be attributed to increased awareness through sensitisation programmes conducted by the police and relevant stakeholders.
The police said the programmes have encouraged victims to seek help and access services provided by the relevant agencies.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Phub Gyem
