A curfew is being imposed against gangs and youth

The country’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that legislation is in the works aimed at reducing gang violence among young people.

Antigua and Barbuda is seeing an increase in youth violence, with the most recent murder reportedly linked to gang violence.

In a national address on Tuesday night, Browne said his government would introduce legislation to impose a gang and youth curfew, in a bid to crack down on criminal behavior by minors and protect them from predators.

He also confirmed that the police have created a unit dedicated to combating weapons and gangs, to combat the destabilizing effects of these gangs on society.

“Our gang suppression strategy will also include counseling and anti-gang public education and awareness in our schools. Alternative rehabilitation programs will also be introduced in our correctional facilities to reduce recidivism,” he said.

According to Browne, young people involved in criminal activity will be housed in a youth detention centre to be built on the Defence Force’s Crabbs Peninsula site.

“Our financial incentive program for information leading to the seizure of illegal firearms has already produced results, with 70 firearms seized last year and more than 40 so far this year,” he said.