CRIME RATES

IN MAURITIUS
General paper presentation
TEAM 3
OUR TEAM
HOSSANY Ayesha
BOOLAKY Yeshweeny
NARAIN Pravina
AKBAR Ranya
SOHAN Vidhi
TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 •
CRIME RATES
Introduction of crime
rates
02 CRIME CATEGORIES
• Types of crimes in Mauritius
• Causes and impacts of crime in
• Causes of crime
Mauritius

03 EVIDENCE
• Statistics of crimes
04 SUGGESTIONS
• Initiatives to reduce
• Impacts of crime crimes in our country
 01
CRIME RATES
INTRODUCTION
 WHAT ARE
CRIME RATES?
Crime rates are the number of crimes that are committed
during a period of time in a particular place.
Crimes are acts against the law, where law breakers who violate these laws are charged with severe
punishments. In order to diminish the booming crime rates, the government of Mauritius is
reinforcing and introducing new draconian laws. But do all these efforts actually discourage
Mauritians in reducing their criminal acts? Are all these laws making a difference in the society? We
do not get a single day without newspapers and/or the news reporting on crimes. Crime in Mauritius
is spreading like the Covid 19 during the year 2020. Moreover, are the crimes reported in the news
and recorded by the police the only crimes occurring in Mauritius or are they non-reported crimes as
well? Well, unfortunately YES! There are numerous reasons why people refrain from reporting
crimes. We say “criminals are not born but made”, but what are the causes behind this undesirable
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR
CAUSES OF CRIME IN
OUR COUNTRY?
 LET’S CHECK IT OUT
As society changes, some actions which used to be criminal acts are no longer so.
Likewise some actions which were legal can become prohibited. Below is the list
for the major causes of crime in Mauritius:
● POVERTY
● UNFAIR JUDICIAL SYSTEM
● DIVORCE
● LACK OF PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND ATTENTION
● PARENTAL NEGLECT
● NEGATIVE INFLUENCE OF PEER PRESSURE
● RELIGION
● HYPER INFLATION
● EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES
● DRUGS
● POLITICS
● UNEMPLOYMENT
● NEGATIVE INFLUENCE OF THE MEDIA
● INEQUALITY OF THE TWO GENDERS
02
CRIME
CATEGORIES
TYPES, CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF CRIME IN
MAURITIUS
 LIST OF CRIMES
IN MAURITIUS
Crime rate in Mauritius is about 58%, the diurnal crimes occurring in
Mauritius are:
● Drugs
● Illegal trading
● Smuggling and trafficking
● Fauna and flora crimes
● White collar crimes
● Organized crimes
 MOST COMMON
CRIMES
DRUGS
Drug markets are by far the largest criminal
economy in Mauritius, enjoying significant
protection from the political elite in the
country and driving widespread corruption
across state institutions. For instance, 3.9% of
the population are cannabis users
WHITE COLLAR CRIMES
The government’s credibility has been
undermined by recent financial, corruption
and collusion scandals, which culminated in
the president stepping down in 2018. There's
also bribery in the police force as well as
nepotism
BLACK MARKETING
The black market and the huge amount of money
inclined in it is taking a heavy toll on the
Mauritian government. For example, selling of
vehicle parts, food stuff Etc.
INTENTIONAL HOMICIDE
Estimates of unlawful homicides
purposely inflicted as a result of
domestic disputes, interpersonal
violence, and violent conflicts over
land resources.
 DRUG USE
IN MAURITIUS
Drugs which are trafficked into Mauritius predominantly for the local
market rather than for further transit, and almost all synthetic
cannabinoids sold on the Mauritian market are trafficked into the
country from China. They are used mostly by students and the youth in
general, as well as in poor communities. Cannabis is the most popular
drug in the country, but its use is illegal and carries severe punishment.
While Mauritius is not a major global producer of cannabis, most
seizures to date have been of locally cultivated products and recent
reports suggest that Mauritius appears to be turning into more of a
destination market.
 ILLEGAL TRADE
AND TRAFFICKING
In 2012, an international arms-trafficking network was
uncovered with Mauritius, but since then its laws on firearms
have been tightened and the flow of arms into and out of the
country is thought to be minimal. Drug kingpins and private
security firms reportedly use firearms for protection, but
incidents of shootings or armed crime are rare. Wildlife trade
is also one of the most common crimes committed on the
island.
 CAUSES
The drug is trafficked into the country from
West Africa and then onto East Asian and
Middle Eastern markets, largely by sea. Local
usage is limited mostly to expats, the social
elite and those who have studied in Europe.
The drugs are brought in by illegal
trafficking, forming part of organized crime
groups. Poverty, ignorance, greed,
unemployment, negative peer pressure, and a
lack of self discipline bring up the drug rates
in Mauritius.
IMPACTS
Long term health impacts such as liver, kidney
and heart problems or cancer (depending on the
type of drug used and how frequently it was
used) Dental health problems (cavities and gum
disease) Mental health issues such as anxiety
and depression. Developmental lags, apathy,
withdrawal, and other psychosocial
dysfunctions frequently are linked to substance
abuse among adolescents. Unless action is
taken, the illicit trade will continue funding
criminal networks involved in other criminality
such as drug trafficking, people trafficking and
terrorism all to the detriment of society,
especially the most vulnerable.
FAUNA AND FLORA
CRIMES
Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is a problem because
Mauritius is reliant on the industry for local consumption as well
as for export purposes. Mauritius has relatively few cases of non-
renewable-resource crimes, most of which are limited to the
trafficking of precious stones. However, the country plays a
critical role not just as a tax haven but also in facilitating money
laundering for companies involved in mineral smuggling.
 CAUSES IMPACTS
There is a very limited illicit flora market in Trafficking in wildlife can diminish species
Mauritius, although illegal logging for populations of turtles and birds on our island
firewood is reported. There are stringent and cause local or even global extinction.
controls around the importation of flora, When endangered species are involved, any
aimed at avoiding the introduction of poaching or harvesting of that species to supply
unwanted pests and protecting the country’s the illegal trade risks the species becoming
sugar cane. Mauritius has a small illegal extinct.
fauna market centred on the trafficking of
different species of birds, crocodiles and
turtles as well as illegal hunting of various
animals. Mauritius is reportedly a transit
point for the trafficking of large megafauna
from Southern Africa.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
AND SMUGGLING
Mauritius is primarily a transit point for human trafficking victims
originating from East Africa and Madagascar. Despite its highly
organized nature, the market is not prominent in Mauritius.
Although there are relatively few cases of human smuggling due
to the difficulty of entering the island, the smuggling of domestic
workers from Madagascar to the Arabian Peninsula via Mauritius
is a means of circumnavigating a ban on domestic workers in
certain Arab states.
 CAUSES
There are an estimated 1 000 people living as
modern slaves, with many more exploited in
the textile industry and evidence of labour-
broking arrangements involving migrants
from India and Bangladesh. Criminalization
of victims remains common and exploitation
is widespread. Mauritius has been successful
in preventing instances of human trafficking
in which women from Madagascar are
brought into the country for sex work.
IMPACTS
Criminalization of victims remains common
and exploitation is widespread. Mauritius has
been successful in preventing instances of
human trafficking in which women from
Madagascar are brought into the country for
sex work. Increasingly, guesthouse owners
exploit Malagasy women, recruited under false
pretences of employment or tourism, in sex
trafficking. Traffickers may also exploit
children in sex trafficking on Rodrigues Island,
an autonomous territory of Mauritius.
 LEADERSHIP AND
GOVERNANCE
State involvement in drug trafficking is hard to gauge, but drug
money is rumoured to have infiltrated political and electoral
financing. The enrichment of the political elite and nepotism are
both problems that need attention, and the integrity of some
government officials has been questioned due to scandals
involving the misappropriation of funds. The prime minister has
close ties to a gambling mogul who is reported to have financed
his campaign during the last elections. Such links and high-profile
scandals demonstrate a level of state capture by criminal interests.
 CAUSES
The enrichment of the political elite and
nepotism are both problems that need
attention, and the integrity of some
government officials has been questioned due
to scandals involving the misappropriation of
funds. The prime minister has close ties to a
gambling mogul who is reported to have
financed his campaign during the last
elections. Such links and high-profile
scandals demonstrate a level of state capture
by criminal interests.
IMPACTS
Low levels of popular trust mark the political
class, including the ruling and opposition
parties, the president, the prime minister, and
the National Assembly. Many Mauritians see
widespread corruption in these and other key
institutions. Nearly half of citizens do not
approve of the performance of the prime
minister, members of the National Assembly,
and the president. In addition, Mauritians give
the government poor grades on keeping prices
stable, narrowing income gaps, creating jobs,
and other key issues.
 ORGANIZED
CRIMES
Organized crimes include all of the mentioned crimes but with
more precise planning and mostly done by a big group of people.
The three categories include provision of illicit services, provision
of illicit goods, and the infiltration of legitimate business or
government. In at least part of their activities they commit
violence or other acts which are likely to intimidate, or make
actual or implicit threats to do so. They exploit differences
between countries to further their objectives, enriching their
organization, expanding its power, and avoiding detection.
 CAUSES IMPACTS
Attempting to gain influence in government,
Organized crime is known to disrupt the
politics, and commerce through corrupt as
development process and pervert the benefits of
well as legitimate means, they have economic
development. While sometimes it may appear
gain as their primary goal, not only from
to have a stabilizing impact on the surface for
patently illegal activities but also from
example, by providing livelihoods
investment in legitimate businesses; and
opportunities it can still be coercive, violent or
attempt to insulate both their leadership and
help to build the legitimacy of criminal groups.
membership from detection, sanction, and
prosecution through their organizational
structure.
 CRIMINAL
ACTORS
Criminal networks operating in country are made up mostly of
Mauritian nationals, who work with suppliers based
predominantly in South Africa, East Africa and Madagascar. These
networks are generally not violent, but levels of corruption in law
enforcement remain high. The emergence of synthetic drugs in
Mauritius in 2015 prompted a dramatic increase in the number of
drug-trafficking networks operating in the country. Because
synthetics can be ordered online, these new networks are less
reliant on overseas suppliers and have a less hierarchical structure
than is the case in the heroin trade.
 CAUSES
State-embedded criminal actors are active in
Mauritius, with a commission of inquiry
linking state officials including politicians
and law enforcement personnel to drug
traffickers. The minister of gender equality
and the deputy speaker stepped down in 2018
following allegations of their involvement in
drug trafficking and money laundering.
Middle to lower level state actors are
involved in all criminal markets, as are
corrupt senior officials.
IMPACTS
Research indicates that foreign criminal actors
are involved in Mauritius, particularly in drug
trafficking. Members of a community of
Nigerian students have been arrested in recent
years with large quantities of heroin.
Bangladesh and Indian workers have also been
arrested for engaging in drug trafficking, but
human trafficking appears to be primarily the
domain of local actors. There are certain gangs
in Mauritius that resemble mafia-style groups,
their level of power, organization and
sophistication remains very low, although with
the potential to develop into more influential
actors in the future.
“When a man is denied the
right to live the way he
believes in, he has no choice
but to become an outlaw.”
—NELSON
MANDELA
 03
EVIDENCE
STATISTICS AND NUMBERS OF
CRIME
CRIMINALITY IN
PARADISE
MAURITIUS RANK IN
CRIMINALITY

4.52 119th 37th

CRIMINALITY IN AFRICA
SCORE ON THE COUNTRY LIST
OUT OF 10 OF ALL 193 OUT OF THE 54
COUNTRIES COUNTRIES ON THE
LIST FOR AFRICA
 74,993
Was the crime rate in Mauritius in 2021 and in
2020,the rate was listed to be 55,402.
Increasing by a total of 31.6%
 20,951
People were suspected, arrested and cautioned in
the course of criminal investigations in 2021, up
by 8.2% from 19,367 in 2020.

14,556
People were prosecuted in 2021 compared to
13,226 people in 2020.
CRIME STATS INCREASE\
DECREASE
OF THE CRIME RATE
FROM PREVIOUS
YEAR
CRIME RATE OF
PREVIOUS YEAR
SHOWN AS
REFERENCE FOR THE
INCREASE\
DECREASE OF THE
RATES
CRIME RATES
CRIME RATES
CRIME RATES
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR
IMPACTS OF CRIME IN
OUR COUNTRY?
 LET’S CHECK IT OUT
Crime rates in Mauritius, to say the least, have been on an increasing curve since some
decades now. Below is a list of some major impacts of crime in Mauritius:
● The tourism industry- tourists are discouraged to visit Mauritius. Consequently the
income entering the country decreases. In addition, the hotel industry will suffer where
they may make workers redundant and again the society will have to endure the vicious
cycle of unemployment.
● People refrain from going outside their safe zone, their homes especially at night
because they fear that they can get murdered, robbed or assaulted.
● The economy becomes unstable as the labour force is affected.
● The young generation, for instance teenagers are more inclined to commit criminal acts
as they have been exposed to a such environment.
● The country has to bear a bad reputation, even though the problem of increasing crime
rate is solved, the country will be labelled for quite a long time.
 04
SUGGESTIONS
INITIATIVES TO STOP OR REDUCE CRIME IN
MAURITIUS
WHAT CAN BE DONE
TO REDUCE THE
CRIME RATES OF OUR
COUNTRY?
DRUG ABUSE
● Collaboration among law enforcement, health, and social service
agencies can help reduce demand, which fuels drug trafficking
activities, often involving violence and crime.
● Treating addicts and preventing the onset of drug use can complement
law enforcement efforts to reduce supply.
● Structured treatment programs, and substance abuse counselling could
help. While they are not the only sources of help, they are the most
consistently effective, especially when combined in some systematic
fashion. Treatment and counselling provide structure, support, and
intervention.
ORGANISED CRIMES
● Digital surveillance, undercover agents and the recruitment of
spies
● Penalizing those implicated in organized crime
● Investigating organized crime gang leaders
● Regulating financial transactions and tackling money laundering
prosecutions through application of taxes legislation
FAUNA AND FLORA CRIMES
● More awareness should be spread about this topic. There should be more
camps organized to educate people about it. Informing the public of the
importance of native animals and plants is essential for the establishment
of protected areas.
● More laws should be set up to protect the wildlife, especially when
animals are being traded and killed in order to make products out of it.
Certain animals are even at risk because of it. All protection and
conservation activities and initiatives must be supported by appropriate
legislation. Without a strong regulatory framework, preservation and
conservation of native animals and its, ecosystem services and cultural
heritage may lack a certain level of security against the development
pressures.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Although cases of human trafficking are hidden, we should never turn a
blind eye even though these are rare cases. For instance, the
government of Mauritius identified 18 trafficking victims last year, but
the population wasn’t quite informed as such. However we can always
provide our support through various actions like:
● Reporting suspicious situations.
● Being a conscientious and informed consumers- get informed about
the sources of products, whether the production involved child
labour or forced labour.
● Volunteer with an organisation that fight for human trafficking.
● Donate and hold Fundraising events to help survivors.
ILLEGAL SMUGGLING
● Tightening security in areas where smuggling is reported, and where
there are easy pick up points, especially near the harbour and the airport.
● Conduct security check of imports and exports with advanced and
reliable technology.
● Raise awareness against the use of and possessions of drugs and illegal
weapons.
● The media can also help by discouraging people to perform such act by
airing specific documentaries, debates on smuggling, the impact on the
micro and macro economy and so on.
LEADERSHIP AND
GOVERNANCE
● The Government should be more accountable to the people. Accountability is one aspect
of governance that if lost, can cause a breakdown of law and order.
● Institutions for building competent leaders should be established and if already
established, should be increasingly financed. As everyone knows, bad leadership equals
bad governance.
● Parliamentary measures should be enforced to put an end to corruption.
● The Legislature, being the law making arm of government, should enact laws that not
only penalises it but ensure that no one will be an exception.
● There should be regard for the fundamental rights of citizens particularly the right against
discrimination. All genders, ethnic, religious and tribal personalities should be considered
when making decisions.
 CRIME
● Improving surveillance around homes, businesses or public places to
deter criminals.
● Treatment and counselling provide structure, support, and
intervention.
● Overcome the rich and poor division.
● Create awareness among people.
● Bring in harmony and faith of civilians.
CONCEPTS TO
REMEMBER
● What are crime rates?
● Causes of crime
● Types of crimes
● Some statistics of crime
● Examples of popular crimes
● Impacts of crimes
● Suggestions to reduce crime
 DO YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS?
FEEL FREE TO ASK US
NOW !!!
 THANK
YOU!
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 RESOURCES
USED
● Mauritius Crime Stats: NationMaster.com
● https://statsmauritius.govmu.org/Pages/Statistics/ESI/CJS/CJS_Yr21.aspx
● https://defimedia.info/rising-crime-rate-shedding-light-pressing-issue
THE END