Western Area Accounts For 60% Of All Crimes Nationwide – 2025 Police Report Reveals

By JKM

Freetown —

Sierra Leone’s major urban centres are facing growing security pressures, with the Western Area accounting for nearly 60 percent of all crimes reported nationwide, according to the latest national crime statistics released by the Sierra Leone Police for 2025.

The report highlights a worrying rise in violent crime, persistent offences against women and children, and sharp regional disparities in crime rates, underscoring mounting challenges for law enforcement and community safety across the country.

According to the police statistics, crime remains heavily concentrated in urban and semi-urban areas, particularly within the Western Area.

The Freetown East Division recorded the highest number of offences with 11,603 cases, representing 34.1 percent of all reported crimes in the country. This was followed by Freetown West, which recorded 8,487 cases, accounting for 24.9 percent of the national total.

Combined, these two divisions alone represent a significant portion of crimes reported nationwide, highlighting the scale of security concerns within the capital region.

Outside the Western Area, the Eastern Region recorded the highest number of offences among the provinces with 4,249 cases, while the North West Region recorded the lowest with 2,613 cases

The report also reveals that offences against women and children continue to dominate the country’s crime profile.

Police recorded 15,188 cases involving women and children, representing 44.6 percent of all crimes reported nationwide. The statistics point to ongoing vulnerabilities affecting these groups despite efforts to address gender-based violence and child protection issues.

Property-related offences followed with 6,848 cases, accounting for 20.1 percent of reported crimes.

Economic crimes accounted for 4,469 cases (13.1 percent), while offences against the person stood at 3,956 cases, representing 11.6 percent.

The report further notes that road traffic accidents accounted for 2,071 cases, representing 6.1 percent of the total offences recorded during the year.

Population-adjusted analysis also shows stark regional disparities in crime prevalence.

The Western Area recorded the highest crime index of 1,049 crimes per 100,000 people, far exceeding the national average of 375 crimes per 100,000 population.

According to the report, this confirms the strong concentration of criminal activity in metropolitan areas, where population density and economic pressures are significantly higher.

Another major concern highlighted in the report is the rise in violent criminal activity across the country.

Violent crimes accounted for 44 percent of all reported offences in 2025, an increase from 34 percent in 2024, indicating a sharp escalation in violent incidents nationwide.

Security observers say the increase signals growing pressure on policing and justice institutions, particularly in urban centres.

The findings by the Sierra Leone Police are expected to spark renewed discussions on crime prevention, community policing, and the need for stronger interventions to address the root causes of crime, including unemployment, urban overcrowding, and social inequality.

With violent offences rising and urban crime continuing to dominate national statistics, the report underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to improve public safety and strengthen law enforcement across Sierra Leone.