Despite a recent uptick in unlawful and criminal activity in some parts of Anguilla, Police Commissioner David Lynch says that crime on the island is low, and Anguilla is a safe place.
“Anguilla is safe. The majority of people on this island – all the visitors, all the residents, all the workers here – Anguilla is safe,” Mr Lynch said.
David Lynch, Police Commissioner of the Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF), made the observation at the government’s press briefing on Monday, April 25. He noted that most of the minor crimes which occur on Anguilla are family or relationship focused. He said “there is a small number of people on the island who engage in conflict with each other, and that conflict is leading to serious injuries and wounding of persons engaged in the conflicts.”
Commissioner Lynch said that the message he “wants to get out there is that the majority of crimes on Anguilla are very minor. However, there is a small amount of serious crime on the island which needs to be addressed.”
He reported that “since Christmas [2021], there have been three murders committed on the island and three incidents of firearms being discharged. These were the most severe crimes committed in the past few months.”
He also reported that two robberies had occurred during the same period of time, and that a group of young people and two adults had engaged in a “very unusual type of criminal behaviour” where they wanted to commit a large number of thefts in a short period of time. The group stole ten vehicles within ten days.
Commissioner Lynch appealed to the parents, children, family members and friends of those persons engaged in any unlawful activity, to report any information regarding the criminal activities on the RAPF confidential website. He also offered a way out for persons engaged in these organised criminal acts.
He pleaded: “If you are a member of one of these gangs, or you feel trapped in these gangs, reach out or access the confidential website. We will reach out to you and have a conversation with you to make sure you are safe. We want to work with you to help you get out of these gangs.”
Mr Lynch noted that “a mixture of investigative work and good information from members of the community” has been instrumental in assisting the RAPF with the apprehension of persons suspected of engaging in criminal activity on Anguilla. He also acknowledged that footage from surveillance cameras on homes and businesses do aid in the investigation of crimes.
Commissioner Lynch indicated that the Traffic Department is expected to incorporate smart technologies in road surveillance cameras – to aid in solving some of the crimes committed on the island. He also stated that once the traffic teams receive specialist training, they will be prohibiting criminals from using Anguilla’s roadways – starting as early as next month.
He said: “The primary purpose is to deny criminals use of the roads. We will identify the criminals – we know who they are – and make sure the traffic teams focus on those individuals.
“If you are an active criminal on this island, and you drive a particular car, the traffic team will be focusing on you specifically. We will try and start this next month.”
