Kuwait juvenile crimes fall 48% in first half of 2026

KUWAIT CITY, Sep 5: Juvenile crimes in Kuwait fell by 48 percent during the first half of 2026, with 795 cases recorded compared with 1,523 during the same period last year, Minister of Justice Counselor Nasser Al-Sumaid said.

Al-Sumaid said the decline marks the second consecutive year of improvement, with juvenile crimes down 52 percent from the first half of 2024, when 1,665 cases were recorded.

Traffic-related cases saw the sharpest decline, falling 63 percent from 1,048 cases to 383. Assault cases also decreased by 32 percent.

The minister attributed the decline to a combination of legislative, preventive and social factors, highlighting a government effort to strengthen deterrence and prevent behaviors considered particularly harmful to individuals and society.

Among the legislative measures cited were the new traffic law and tougher penalties for serious traffic violations, murder and manslaughter. Reforms also included strengthened legislation against drugs and psychotropic substances, as well as penalties for possessing or carrying white weapons without legitimate justification in public places.

The legislation provides for harsher penalties when such weapons are used to assault or intimidate others.

Al-Sumaid stressed that legislation is an important factor in interpreting the decline in juvenile crime, while noting that prevention and broader social measures also contribute to the positive trend.

He praised the efforts of the Ministry of Interior in prevention and enforcement, the Ministry of Social Affairs in caring for and rehabilitating juveniles, and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Ministry of Health for their roles in protecting children from violence and abuse and providing care and support.