As 2024 concludes, Bali police have released the record of foreign-national crimes in Bali.
“This year, 226 foreign nationals were apprehended for committing general, specific, and drug-related offenses,” Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya said during a year-end press conference in Denpasar on Monday.
This figure marks an increase compared to 2023, when 194 foreigners were arrested for criminal activity within the jurisdiction of Bali Police.
Top 3 Nationalities on the Violation Record
The crimes committed by foreign nationals varied widely.
- Citizens of the United States topped the list, with 34 individuals arrested—14 for general offenses and 20 for drug-related crimes.
- Australians ranked second, with 32 arrests. Of these, 17 were linked to general offenses, including theft and assault, while the rest faced drug trafficking charges.
- Russians accounted for 28 arrests, 20 of which were for general crimes, and eight related to narcotics.
Other notable figures include 25 British nationals and 12 Germans.
Additionally, three Filipino nationals were apprehended for cybercrimes in 2024.
A broader perspective: One foreign-national violator for every 28.141 non-violators.
Despite the arrests, the vast majority of foreign nationals in Bali comply with local laws.
Bali welcomed an average of 530.936 foreign-national tourists per month during the first 10 months of 2024, based on statistics by Bali’s Central Statistics Agency.
With 226 violations this year, that amounts to one 1 violator for every 28.141 law-abiding foreign-national tourists.
Foreign Nationals Were Also Crime Victims
Inspector General Daniel noted that the statistics exclude cases handled by immigration authorities, the Bali Province National Narcotics Agency (BNN), and other investigators.
Beyond their role as perpetrators, foreign nationals were also frequently victims of crime in Bali.
In 2024, 228 foreigners were victimized, with theft being the most common offense, accounting for 41 cases.
“While foreign nationals bring economic benefits to Bali, their presence also introduces challenges, including involvement in crimes and other disruptive behaviors,” Daniel stated.
Bali police have prioritized monitoring and addressing crimes involving foreign nationals to preserve the island’s security and public order.
