This report examines the complex relationship between crime, violence, and socio-economic development in the Caribbean. Drawing on research conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Bank, it analyses the structural drivers of criminal activity in the region, including the influence of narcotics trafficking, the proliferation of firearms, and the institutional challenges faced by criminal justice systems.

The publication highlights the significant economic and social costs associated with high levels of violence, demonstrating how crime undermines human welfare, weakens governance structures, and constrains economic growth. The report also explores policy options for addressing these challenges, advocating for a more balanced approach that combines traditional law-enforcement strategies with preventative measures such as social crime prevention, environmental design, community-based security initiatives, and public health interventions.

By presenting evidence-based analysis and regional case insights, the report provides policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners with a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing crime and violence as a critical development issue in the Caribbean.