The UK minister responsible for the overseas territories has confirmed a package of support for Anguilla to help combat the surge in gun-related violence.
It includes funding for additional officers and investigators, armed assistance, and new equipment for the Royal Anguilla Police Force, including a drone.
Governor Julia Crouch and Premier Cora Richardson Hodge spoke to Stephen Doughty MP last week about the security situation, a press release from the Governor’s Office said on 20 May.
They both outlined local action being taken, including the further recruitment of police officers some of whom will be specialist armed response officers.
They also spoke of the government’s decision to extend the contracts of the current six authorised firearms officers for six months and the possibility of increasing the ranks of the police force.
Doughty praised the work of local police officers in such challenging circumstances, and confirmed a package of UK support for the Royal Anguilla Police Force.
It includes:
- UK funding for the deployment of police officers from the Cayman Islands
- Extending the UK funded police investigator team
- Six new police investigators
- A team of six additional armed officers
- Equipment for the Royal Anguilla Police Force, including a new drone.
The minister, premier and governor confirmed their unwavering commitment to work together to combat criminal activity, to tackle the causes of crime and to bring to justice those responsible.
On 14 May, Premier Cora Richardson Hodge also confirmed the UK support which she described as “temporary but vital measures” to bolster the police force.
“My people, this is not the Anguilla we know. This is not the Anguilla we love. Make no mistake, this is a public health issue,’ she said.
“Urgent action is needed to address the root causes as well as the incidents of crime and gun violence in our country.”
She thanked the police commissioner, members of the police force and their regional counterparts, the governor and the UK Government for its financial, technical and specialist support.
An 18-year-old man was shot multiple times outside the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, 6 May, leaving him in critical condition in hospital.
Three days after the incident, on Friday, 9 May, two people were killed in two separate shooting incidents in West End and North Valley.
Then on 14 May, shots were fired at a Blowing Point home at about 2.40am – no injuries were reported.
Anyone with information on criminal activity in Anguilla can call (264) 497-2333 or 497-5333, or leave an anonymous message, video or photo at secureaxa.com
Information from the website is stored in a secure location in California where access to it is tightly controlled.
