- SVG Police Force To receive foreign help in tackling murders
- St Vincent records 4133 criminal offences in 2023
- Highest murder rate recorded in country’s history in 2023
In 2024, the police in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) will obtain assistance from external sources to address the increasing number of murders on the island.
Commissioner of Police Enville Williams announced on Wednesday that the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) has collaborated with a seasoned homicide detective from the United Kingdom to provide specialised training to officers in handling murder cases.
“The UK detective will bring the necessary training and knowledge base to our investigators to equip them to deal with complex offences that have started to emerge.”
The revelation of external assistance coincides with the island’s documentation of 55 killings, the highest number ever recorded in the nation’s history within a single year.
There were 52 cases of murder and three incidents of homicide, resulting in a total of 55.
“In 2023, we recorded a record number of homicides and murders. Most of which were committed with the use of firearms. During the year, we have also seen a slight increase in reported crime over the period of 2022”.
“In 2023, we recorded a total of 4133 criminal offences, as opposed to 4070 in 2022. An increase of 1.5%.” The offence of murder continues to be a vexing issue. Unfortunately during the period, we recorded the highest number of murders in our history.”
Despite the preceding, Williams stated that personnel of the SVG Police Force continue to work tirelessly to protect the peace and security to which Vincentians are accustomed.
“The police continue to work behind the scenes to bring offenders to justice, and this is evident from the arrest made last week for an offence of murder that was committed in August of 2022.”
“We want to give the assurance to the members of the public and to the victims families that we take every offence seriously. And although you might not hear us, sometimes we are working hard behind the scenes to bring offenders to justice.”
Williams said the RSVGPF will continue to make efforts to rid the streets of the influx of illicit firearms and ammunition.
“We are embarking on, as of May 1st of this year, a 90-day period of firearm amnesty where we are asking persons in possession of illicit firearms and ammunition to turn them into the police without being prosecuted for them.”
The commissioner stated that the RSVGPF aims to begin a period of consultation throughout Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to inform the people about how the amnesty initiative would be implemented.
