Worcester Sees 5-Year Low in Shootings, Robberies

New crime data shows significant declines across multiple categories in the city

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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According to the latest crime statistics released by the Worcester Police Department, the city saw a five-year low in violent crimes and property crimes in 2025. Incidents such as non-fatal shootings, robberies, vandalism, and breaking and entering all decreased year-over-year, with only disorderly conduct reports seeing an increase. Police Chief Paul Saucier credited the department's crime gun intelligence unit and community engagement programs for the reductions in violent crime.

Why it matters

The drop in reported crimes in Worcester is seen as a significant achievement, as the city has grappled with high crime rates in recent years. The improved public safety metrics reflect positively on the police department's strategies and could boost community trust in law enforcement.

The details

Worcester saw reductions in a variety of crime categories in 2025 compared to previous years. Non-fatal shootings reached a five-year low, which Police Chief Paul Saucier described as "an incredible improvement." Robberies, vandalism, and breaking and entering incidents also decreased year-over-year. The only crime that saw an increase was disorderly conduct, which Saucier attributed to more community members reporting suspicious behavior.

  • In 2025, Worcester reported the lowest number of violent crimes and property crimes in the past 5 years.
  • The city saw a record-high 16 homicides in 2024, but that number dropped to only 2 homicides in 2025.
  • Reported gunshots decreased from 537 in 2024 to 398 in 2025, after reaching a peak of 736 in 2023.

The players

Paul Saucier

The Worcester Police Chief, who credited the department's crime gun intelligence unit and community engagement programs for the reductions in violent crime.

Eric D. Batista

The Worcester City Manager, who praised the police department's efforts and said the drop in reported crimes was "significant."

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What they’re saying

“We use this metric as a strong indicator of our effectiveness in reducing violence.”

— Paul Saucier, Worcester Police Chief (MassLive)

“Preventing crime from happening in the first place is the ultimate goal and these numbers show the Worcester Police Department's efforts are working.”

— Eric D. Batista, Worcester City Manager (MassLive)

What’s next

The Worcester Police Department will continue to monitor crime trends and refine its strategies to maintain the downward trajectory in reported incidents.

The takeaway

The significant reductions in violent and property crimes in Worcester demonstrate the effectiveness of the police department's data-driven approach and community-oriented policing initiatives. These public safety improvements could serve as a model for other cities grappling with high crime rates.