Photos taken from the report illustrating Police and Gendarmes during various controls.
MARIGOT--Violent crime and offences against property increased in St. Martin during the first six months of 2026, although authorities recorded significant progress in tackling organised crime, illegal immigration and drug trafficking, according to newly released figures from French law enforcement.
The figures, published in the first-half 2026 report of the “Bilan de la Lutte Contre l'Insécurité” (BLCI), Assessment Review of the Fight Against Insecurity show that while crime affecting people and property continued to rise, the island also experienced a sharp reduction in homicides and an increase in proactive policing and anti-drug operations.
The report states that offences against persons across St. Martin and St. Barthélemy increased by 6% during the first half of the year, while offences against property rose by 8%. Domestic violence cases also recorded a modest increase of 1.4%. Authorities noted that although the upward trend remained contained, it would require additional action during the second half of the year.
In St. Martin specifically, authorities recorded 563 offences involving intentional violence against persons, compared with 518 during the same period last year. Property crimes also increased to 753 cases from 667 in 2025.
Despite the increase in reported crime, French authorities highlighted several positive developments.
Only one homicide was recorded in St. Martin during the first half of 2026, compared with six during the corresponding period in 2025. In addition, law enforcement officers dismantled 57% more drug trafficking operations than during the previous year and arrested 22 perpetrators involved in armed violence since the beginning of the year.
Across the two northern islands, Police and Gendarmes significantly intensified efforts against organised crime and narcotics trafficking.
Authorities carried out 36 inspections of known drug-dealing locations, up from 26 during the same period last year, while drug-use offences increased by 56%, with 309 violations recorded. Law enforcement also increased proactive operations by 32% and logged more than 21,700 hours of patrols on public roads, a quarter of which were conducted at night.
The report also points to continued success in tackling illegal immigration and human trafficking.
Authorities executed 64% of Obligations de Quitter le Territoire Français (OQTF) deportation orders, well above the French national average of 10%. The number of deportation orders issued increased by 36%, while proceedings against persons facilitating illegal residence tripled during the reporting period.
Road safety showed mixed results in St. Martin. The number of traffic accidents fell from 22 to 18, while the number of injuries declined from 37 to 23. However, road fatalities increased from two to three compared with the first half of 2025.
Overall, authorities reported a crime detection rate of 53% across St. Martin and St. Barthélemy, saying the positive trend observed in 2025 had continued into this year.
