Bangladesh records broad decline in crime in 2026: Home Ministry

Bangladesh recorded a 7.1% decline in reported cases across seven major crime categories in the first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to comparative statistics attributed to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The number of cases involving rioting, robbery, murder, kidnapping, child abuse, mugging and snatching, and violence against women fell from 18,661 between January and September 2025 to 17,335 during the corresponding period this year, a reduction of 1,326 cases.

A separate comparison for July–September showed a 9.2% decline in reported incidents across the listed categories, from 6,091 cases in 2025 to 5,532 in 2026, a decrease of 559 cases.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed earlier said the country’s law and order situation had improved significantly, citing declines in several major crimes.

“Analysis of available data shows a significant improvement in the overall law and order,” he said.

The minister said compiled police data showed reductions in crimes including murder, abduction and violence against women. He attributed the improvement to the continued efforts of law enforcement agencies and said the government remained committed to public safety and maintaining law and order.

Among the seven categories, rioting recorded the sharpest proportional decline in the nine-month comparison, with cases dropping from 62 to 17, a fall of 72.6%. In the third quarter, cases fell from nine to five, a decrease of 44.4%.

Dacoity and robbery recorded the second-largest proportional decline in the nine-month period, falling from 538 cases in 2025 to 387 this year, a reduction of 151 cases, or 28.1%. The category also registered a 28.1% decline in the third quarter, from 171 cases to 123.

Reported murder cases fell by 8.7% in January–September, from 2,913 to 2,659, a decrease of 254 cases. The third-quarter total dropped from 980 to 881, down 99 cases, or 10.1%.

Kidnapping cases declined by 5.3% in the first nine months, from 812 to 769. The quarterly figure fell more sharply, from 295 to 242, a reduction of 53 cases, or 18%.

Reported child abuse cases dropped by 12.3% in January–September, from 3,591 to 3,151, a decrease of 440 cases. In July–September, the number fell from 1,432 to 1,238, down 194 cases, or 13.5%.

Cases of violence against women declined by 3.1%, from 9,262 in the first nine months of 2025 to 8,978 in the same period this year. Despite the reduction, it remained the largest category by reported case volume in the nine-month comparison.

Mugging and snatching cases fell by 7.3% in January–September, from 1,483 to 1,374. The third-quarter figure declined from 511 to 467, a reduction of 44 cases, or 8.6%.

The quarterly statistics also showed a decline in theft cases, which fell from 2,693 in July–September 2025 to 2,576 in the same period this year, a decrease of 117 cases, or 4.3%. Theft was the largest category by case volume in the quarterly comparison.

The figures show declines across all the listed categories in both comparison periods. However, they reflect reported cases rather than the total number of crimes committed and do not establish the reasons behind the reductions. Changes in reporting practices, case registration and other factors may have influenced the recorded totals.