FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fighting crime one tip at a time: Anonymous crime-reporting hotline sees a 67% increase in tips
Bridgetown, Barbados — February 23, 2026 — Crime Stoppers Barbados continues to encourage the public to report crimes safely, anonymously, and conveniently through its anonymous hotline 1 800 TIPS (8477). The 1 800 TIPS (8477) hotline along with its anonymous tipform which can be found on Crime Stoppers Barbados’ website, www.crimestoppersbarbados.com , using the “submit a tip” button, enables all Barbadian residents, citizens, and visitors to report on crimes anonymously without having to physically go to the police station. Last year, the organisation saw a 67% increase in tips received. This surge underscores the growing public engagement and recognition of its civic responsibility to aid efforts in crime solving and prevention.
2025 Tips Received vs 2024 Statistics
A total of 399 tips were received in 2025 compared to the previous year’s total of 239 tips. The increase in statistics was not only evident in the year-to-date statistics but 2025’s statistics per quarter proved to be consistently higher than 2024’s statistics.
- Quarter 1: 87 tips (2025) and 41 tips (2024)
- Quarter 2:115 tips (2025) and 60 tips (2024)
- Quarter 3: 119 tips (2025) and 64 tips (2024)
- Quarter 4: 78 tips (2025) and 74 tips (2024)
Key Findings from 2025 Statistics
The anonymous 1 800 8477 (TIPS) hotline and tipform (found on Crime Stoppers Barbados’ website) can be used to report on any crime, from missing persons, illicit dumping to homicide. Findings from 2025’s anonymous crime reporting statistics revealed:
- 77 tips were solely drug- related.
- 50 tips were firearms and drug related.
- 45 tips were identified as “other” by the tipsters often relating to offering information requested through missing persons and persons of interest bulletins and out of jurisdiction tips.
- 23 tips treated incidences of animal abuse.
Despite the numerous tips received, the main challenge observed by Crime Stoppers Barbados is the gathering of essential and actionable information to convert tips into active investigations.
Crime Reporting Tips
Crime Stoppers Barbados expresses its utmost gratitude to all tipsters who have used its anonymous reporting platforms to report on crime.
The organisation would like to remind the public that no tip is too small, and all information continues to be useful to the Barbados Police Service, however, to maximise the effectiveness of a tip, prospective tipsters are encouraged to include:
- What happened? Clearly describe the incident as it occurred.
- Who was involved? Provide names, aliases, or identifying details.
- Where did it occur? Include specific locations or nearby landmarks.
- When did it happen? Provide dates and times to narrow investigative timelines.
- Were weapons involved? Describe the weapon if known.
- Were there escape details? If applicable, note how the suspect left the scene.
Including these details assists police with securing evidence, narrowing investigative gaps, and allocating resources effectively.
About Organisation:
Crime Stoppers Barbados is a non-profit organisation that facilitates the anonymous reporting of crime through its secure, anonymous, and toll-free hotline 1 800 TIPS (8477). The hotline offers an anonymous and safe medium to report on any crime to ensure the Barbados Police Service is able to investigate matters with as much critical information as possible.
Media Contact
Name: Kristen Deukett
Title: Programme Director
Phone: +1(246) 243-5917
E-mail: programmedirector@crimestoppersbarbados.com