Following the fatal and gun related incidents over the last two weeks, there is understandably heightened fear within our communities and particular concern for the safety of our youth.
We remain determined in our approach to stem this tide of violence.
Led by the Commissioner, the Royal Anguilla Police Force is executing the full force of its investigative and enforcement powers, which to date have included significant developments in intelligence, arrests and weapon recoveries. As Governor, I am working with the National Security Council to take active ownership of the response to ensure the threats to our island’s safety are gripped and dealt with, providing clear direction on the implementation of measures to:
? Effect a violence reduction strategy in conjunction with education and socialdevelopment leads;
? Reduce the number of unlawful guns in circulation on island; and
? Stem the flow of guns and dangerous weapons to the island.
As a National Security Council, the Commissioner of Police and I are working collectively with the Hon. Premier, the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs and the Hon. Attorney General to not only support the operational command of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, Customs and Immigration, but also to ensure robust enforcement through an effective legal framework in respect of prosecutions and the introduction of minimum sentencing; appropriate resourcing of required interventions across Government; and close community liaison.
Further to our strategic threat assessments, it is clear we require a policing response that is sustainable and underpinned robustly through intelligence led enforcement operations. The UK Government is providing support in the critical development of our intelligence and analytical capability. Our regional partnerships remain key to tackling transnational crime operations, and as was clear from our visit last week to neighbouring St Martin and Sint Maarten, we remain unified in tackling our shared threats. We are also further developing our intelligence operations with our international partners including US leads to support wider border security efforts.
The Commissioner of Police will set out the multi-pronged approach of the Royal Anguilla Police Force and how he is seeking to supplement operational capability in collaboration with policing and border security counterparts from St Martin and Sint Maarten.
Whilst the Royal Anguilla Police Force are driving operations to suppress and arrest, we must acknowledge that crime sits within a much wider community context.
The strength of Anguilla is its community. Now more than ever, a strong relationship between the police and the communities they serve is of critical importance.
Addressing these threats requires effort from not only the police but from all partner agencies and members of our community.
Safer communities require continued and dedicated collaboration from each one of us. With opportunities for engagement and the sharing of information, the room for those seeking to commit crime reduces. It requires the community to support the removal of these weapons from our island by helping the police locate the illegal storage areas. If you believe you know a family member, a friend or a loved that is vulnerable to associating with this activity or in possession of a dangerous weapon, say something. Speak to someone you trust or use the confidential police website.
The information you know could save lives.
