Crime in Seychelles

The 2025 mid-year review recorded 19% fewer crimes overall than the comparable period, including 4% fewer violent crimes, 30% fewer burglaries, 32% fewer thefts and 36% fewer tourist-related crimes. Serious-crime detection exceeded 83%. These figures describe cases recorded by authorities, not the full prevalence of crime, because they do not include incidents that were never reported. The National Bureau of Statistics compiles criminal-justice data from the police, courts, Family Tribunal, probation services, prisons and other institutions. For context, the 2023 National Data Summary recorded 2,083 public-order offences, 1,150 drug offences and 131 offences relating to the administration of justice. The Seychelles Police Force, usually abbreviated as SPF after the first reference, is responsible for law enforcement, crime prevention, investigation, public safety and community engagement. Police stations operate on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, with specialist services including detective work, marine policing, commercial and financial crime investigations, the Family Squad and the Child Protection Unit. Police Headquarters in Victoria can be reached at +248 4288000 during regular weekday hours. A non-urgent report can be made at the nearest police station or through the police online crime-reporting service, subject to the service's available functions. Call 999 for an immediate threat, a crime in progress or an urgent police, fire or ambulance response. Call 133 for Crime Stopper, which accepts anonymous and confidential information and service complaints; it is not a substitute for 999 when someone faces immediate danger. Crime Stopper can also be contacted at crimestopper@police.gov.sc. Preserve the scene where possible, keep documents and other evidence, and do not delete digital messages, photographs or account records. There is no general official fee or deadline identified for making a standard crime report, so case-specific instructions may come from the police. Common everyday risks include opportunistic theft, burglary, public disorder linked to alcohol, drug possession, violence and theft of property connected with tourism. Police and tourism guidance recommends locking accommodation, using a safe, avoiding large amounts of cash, not leaving valuables on beaches, in vehicles or in rooms, and avoiding isolated beaches alone. Keep 999 and 133 available, tell a host or trusted contact about routes and return times, check that excursion providers are licensed, and do not invite unknown people into accommodation or accept rides from strangers. Victims of family violence can contact the Family Squad, police, Social Affairs or health services. The Domestic Violence Act 2020 has been in force since 4 December 2023 and covers marriage, cohabitation, dating or intimate relationships, shared children, family relationships and co-tenancy. It recognises conduct such as economic abuse, intimidation, harassment, surveillance and coercive behaviour. The Family Tribunal or court can issue an interim or protection order, including no-contact conditions; proceedings are generally free, although costs may be ordered for bad-faith applications. Services can include crisis intervention, emergency transport, medical care, counselling and referrals. Courts can use private hearings or video links and may allow a counsellor or psychologist to support the victim. For a child-safety concern, call the free and confidential Children Helpline on 116. Adults may also use it to report suspected abuse. Social Affairs leads child-welfare investigations and support, while the Child Protection Unit generally handles official guidance concerning children aged 14 or younger and the Family Squad supports cases involving children aged 15 and older. The National Council for Children provides counselling and psychological support, including through the President's Village sanctuary. Social Affairs has outstations on Praslin and La Digue. Police, Social Affairs, health and education services have duties to cooperate and report child-abuse concerns. Cybercrime includes unauthorised access or interference, electronic fraud and forgery, disclosure of credentials, cyber extortion, cyber harassment or stalking, offensive electronic communications and child sexual material under the Cybercrimes and other Related Crimes Act 2021. Report an urgent threat through 999 and other cybercrime concerns primarily to the police or Crime Stopper; no separate public cybercrime hotline was identified in the available local sources. The police enforcement unit works with the Cybersecurity Unit of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, known as DICT. For suspected trafficking, the Trafficking in Persons Secretariat can be contacted on 114, while police and the relevant child-protection channels remain available according to the person's age and immediate risk.