Crime in St Vincent & the Grenadines reached new high in 2023
St Vincent and the Grenadines is becoming more dangerous as the country’s police force reported record amounts of crime in 2023.
Yesterday, acting Commissioner of Police Enville Williams revealed statistics that showed 55 murders were recorded in 2023, which was the highest in St Vincent and the Grenadines’ recent history.
Additionally, police received 4,133 reports of criminal offences in 2023, which was 1.5 per cent more than in 2022.
To combat the rising murder figure, Williams said members of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) will receive training from an experienced homicide detective from the United Kingdom.
The top cop said the detective will “bring the necessary training and knowledge base to our investigators to equip them to deal with complex offences we have started seeing.”
Most of the murders were committed using illegal firearms that have flooded the country’s streets. Williams revealed police were able to seize 29 firearms and 290 rounds of ammunition.
In May, islanders in possession of illegal guns will have a chance to turn over their weapons and ammunition without the threat of prosecution.
The gun amnesty will run for 90 days.
Williams urged persons to make use of the amnesty since it offers them an opportunity to turn their lives away from crime.
The police force will hold community meetings in the coming weeks to educate citizens about the amnesty.
Williams said his officers are working tirelessly to return St Vincent and the Grenadines to the peaceful place it is known to be.
He assured citizens that all crimes are taken seriously, and much work is done in the background to arrest and prosecute criminals.
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