Police pledge to intensify fight against gun-related crimes

he Barbados Police Service (BPS) has pledged to intensify its fight against gun-related crimes, following a sharp rise in shooting deaths this year.

Despite an overall reduction in major crimes, the growing threat posed by firearms has pushed law enforcement to double down on joint operations with the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) to combat illegal weapons.

At a press briefing at Police Headquarters on Sunday, Commissioner Richard Boyce addressed the alarming situation, citing the proliferation of firearms as a key driver behind recent violence. He stated, “There are some very, very unfortunate incidents which are occurring, and they are happening because of the level of firearms in the country. This briefing is to really zero in and let the public know exactly what we are doing in terms of managing the situation when it comes to firearms.”

According to the top cop, the Barbados Police Service and the Barbados Defence Force have been working together to increase joint operations aimed at taking illegal firearms off the streets. So far in 2024, these efforts have led to the seizure of 53 firearms. This figure is comparable to the 52 firearms confiscated during the same period in 2023, but it underscores the persistence of the problem.

He admitted that despite these seizures, criminals are still finding ways to smuggle weapons into the country. “Unfortunately for us, people are still finding ways and means of bringing these firearms into the country. Some are brought in by vessels along our coastal areas, and some are concealed in cargo, which is landed by air,” Boyce explained.

He assured the public that the BPS would continue its relentless fight against illegal firearms. “Not to be daunted in our efforts, we will continue our fight to confiscate as many of these weapons as possible,” Boyce declared.

While the overall crime rate in Barbados has decreased, the commissioner highlighted a concerning spike in the number of murders. From January 1 to September 7 of this year, the island has seen 37 homicides, compared to 14 during the same period in 2023. This represents a nearly threefold increase in homicides, with the majority of them involving firearms.

“Our statistics show that out of the 37 murders so far this year, 26 were committed with firearms, including one with a high-powered weapon suited for battlefields, not our streets,” Boyce noted.

Despite the rising murder rate, other categories of major crime, including robbery, rape, aggravated burglary, and theft, have all seen reductions. For instance, robberies fell from 117 in 2023 to 76 in 2024, and aggravated burglaries dropped from 54 last year to 36 this year. Overall, major crimes have decreased by 17 per cent, with 592 cases recorded this year compared to 715 cases in the same period in 2023.

Minor crimes also saw a marginal decrease, with 3,475 cases reported this year, compared to 3,493 in 2023. When combined, total crimes have fallen by three per cent year on year.

Boyce did not shy away from highlighting the central role that firearms play in perpetuating crime in Barbados. “The information I shared… clearly shows that the primary criminal threat towards safety and security as a country is the issue with firearms, both in the possession and use of these firearms,” he stated.

Apart from their involvement in the majority of murders, firearms have also played a key role in other serious crimes, such as robberies and violent assaults. He acknowledged the challenges law enforcement faces in stemming the flow of illegal weapons but assured the public that the BPS will continue its mission to keep the country safe.

“We will employ every legal, available means to ensure that the criminal element does not hold the people of this country to ransom,” the Commissioner asserted.

Boyce reiterated the need for ongoing collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the public. He appealed for citizens to support the police in their efforts by reporting suspicious activities and avoiding interference in police operations.

“Our intention—and we will not pull back from it—is to make the country the best it can be in terms of the absence of lawlessness,” he said. “So again, I appeal to each and every member of the public: man, woman, and child, to see the police officer as a friend, as a partner, someone who has their interests at heart.”

With joint operations between the BPS and BDF continuing and the fight against illegal firearms ramping up, the police are determined to ensure that Barbados does not fall prey to the devastating consequences of unchecked gun violence.

“We cannot sit idly by and hope or wish things away. It will not happen. It calls for firm, decisive, and step-by-step decisions,” Boyce stated. (RG)