The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The total combined crime and drug cases saw a 4 percent decrease, falling from 2,066 offences in 2025 to 1,983 in 2026, the half-yearly data provided by the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) highlights a persistent and growing challenge regarding social and domestic offences.
Meanwhile, excluding the drug offences, the general crime saw an increase of 1.8 percent rising from 1,247 cases in 2025 to 1,270 in 2026.
These include sexual offences, domestic violence, cyber related crime, chorten and lhakhang, children in conflict with law and other crimes.
Domestic violence
Despite the overall drop in case numbers, Domestic Violence (DV) remains the most reported crime in the country.
The number of reported incidents surged by more than 22 percent, rising from 358 cases in 2025 to 438 cases in 2026.
Police analysis identifies alcoholism, substance abuse, and financial hardships as the primary drivers behind these incidents.
While the rise in numbers is concerning, police also attribute it to enhanced public awareness and better reporting mechanisms that have encouraged more victims to come forward.
Police station (PS) wise, from January to June 2026, North Thimphu PS reported the highest number of cases at 79, followed by Central Thimphu PS with 73 cases, South Thimphu PS with 45 cases, Gelephu PS with 39 and Wangdue PS with 32 cases.
As for 2025, Phuntsholing and North Thimphu PS reported 47 cases each, followed by South Thimphu PS with 40 case, Gelephu and Central Thimphu PS 35 each, and Wangdue PS with 23 cases.
Top five crime cases
Following DV cases, the other four offences among the top five crime categories were battery, illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, larceny and deceptive practices.
There were 297 cases of battery reported in 2025, and 206 in 2026. 153 cases of illicit trafficking of narcotic drug and psychotropic substances in 2025, and 140 cases in 2026. 140 cases of larceny in 2025, and 116 in 2026. 86 cases of deceptive practice in 2025, and 103 in 2026.
Suicide cases remained nearly constant with 51 cases reported in 2025, and 50 in 2026.
In 2026, the three PS in Thimphu recorded a total of 8 suicide cases, followed by Tsirang PS with 5 cases, Paro PS 4 cases and Dorokha PS with 3 cases.
In 2025, Thimphu recorded a total of 5 suicide cases, followed by Paro PS, Tashicholing PS, Gelephu PS, Tsirang and Samdrupjongkhar PS 4 cases respectively, Punakha PS and Pendenling PS recorded 3 cases each.
Police sources said that the cause of suicides in youths was found to be study failure, relationship issues, mental health problems including alcohol and substance use.
As for the elderly and others the reasons were no care, home or family, physically challenged, mental issues, unemployment and family problems including financial stress and lack of community support.
Meanwhile, the decrease in cases was attributed to widespread awareness campaigns and improvement in psychological support and services provided by relevant institutions.
Geographical distribution Criminal activity remains heavily concentrated in urban centers, with Thimphu accounting for the highest volume of cases in 2025 and 2026.
In 2026, the Central, North, and South Thimphu police stations consistently reported the highest numbers with 229, 157 and 144 cases each.
Similarly in 2025, the three PS reported 249, 79 and 115 cases respectively.
Other police station included Phuntsholing PS with 91 cases in 2026 and 156 in 2025, Gelephu PS with 110 cases and 127, Paro PS with 100 cases and 71, Wangdue PS with 58 and 76 cases, and Punakha PS with 51 cases and 37.
Police officials acknowledged the detection of many of these crimes to stronger coordination and improved collaboration between RBP and other agencies, stricter enforcement of zero-tolerance approach where even minor infractions are addressed, enhanced detection strategies, including the expanded use of CCTV surveillance technology and increased police patrolling in high-risk areas.
Additionally, proactive policing and public awareness campaigns under the ‘Mindfulness City’ initiative were noted for making citizens more vigilant in reporting violations.
The Deputy Chief of Police for Crime and Operations Department, Colonel Passang Dorji, said that awareness about the importance of CCTV surveillance is growing, particularly in helping investigate and prevent crime.
He said that in addition to the RBP, dzongkhags are also adopting safe city solutions by installing CCTV cameras.
While many private individuals are coming forward to install CCTV cameras on their premises, he said more people should do so to enhance security and protect both themselves and their property.
