Over 4,100 criminal offenses recorded in SVG during 2023, New measures coming

By Admin. Updated 7:42 p.m., Wednesday, January 3, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Commissioner of Police – Mr. Enville Williams said that 2023 was a trying year for the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force – RSVGPF with over 4,100 criminal offenses recorded.

The year also saw 55 crime-causing deaths, the highest in the country’s post-independence history.

During a press conference today (January 4), the commissioner said the country recorded a record number of homicides and murders most of which were committed with the use of firearms.

There were 52 murders and three homicides, a total of 55, the commissioner said.

Mr. Williams who was appointed as Commissioner of Police (acting) on October 1, 2023, said there was a slight increase in the number of reported crimes committed across the country when compared to 2022.

In 2023, we recorded a total of 4,133 criminal offenses as opposed to 4,070 in 2022, an increase of 1.5 percent, he said.

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, members of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force continue to work assiduously to maintain the peace and security in this blessed land, the peace, and security that us [sic] Vincentians are accustomed to,” the commissioner said.

He the police continue to work behind the scenes to bring offenders to justice, “and this is evident in the arrest last week for an offense of murder that was committed in August of 2022,” he added.

He said a number of measures will be taken in 2024 to further equip police officers to deal with the offense of murder.

We are partnering with an experienced homicide detective from the UK who is currently in the region to bring the necessary training and knowledge base to our investigators to equip them to deal with complex offenses that we start seeing.

He said efforts are continuing to rid the streets of the influx of illicit firearms and ammunition.

He said during the year 2023, an operation helped the police to net 29 illicit firearms and 290 rounds of ammunition. He said the operation will continue in 2024.

Additionally, as of May 1, 2024, the police will be embarking on a 90-day period of firearm amnesty where persons in possession of illicit firearms and ammunition to turn them in to the police without being prosecuted for them.

He said a period of consultation will be held soon throughout the country to bring members of the public up to speed as to how the amnesty will take shape and what are the measures to be employed in the amnesty.

“So that come May 1, the amnesty will take shape,” he added.

He said even now, persons who have illicit firearms have been working with the police to hand in firearms.

He said those who hand over firearms even before the amnesty will not be prosecuted.

He said in 2024, there would be more police presence in communities and more partnerships with community organizations, churches, and other organizations.