Criminals on the retreat, says PM Browne

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has praised law enforcement officials in Antigua and Barbuda for what he said was a decrease in criminal activity on the island after Carnival.

The country, like many other countries in the Caribbean, has seen an increase in criminal activity, so much so that the government has been forced to change laws to increase penalties for crime

Browne took the opportunity in parliament on Monday to praise police and other law enforcement personnel for their efforts, saying criminals appear to be “on the retreat”.

He also stressed the collaborative approach to tackling crime and violence in the country by various stakeholders, stressing the importance of maintaining a safe and stable environment for economic progress.

He praised the coordination and cooperation between different government agencies in implementing measures to combat crime, including legislative changes to impose stricter penalties on offenders.

In addition, the Prime Minister expressed concern about the formation of gangs, especially among young people who have not completed school.

He discussed the challenges of identifying and tackling these gangs, citing instances where members refused to remove their face masks during meetings.

He specifically mentioned the presence of gangs in several areas and acknowledged that while progress has been made, the gang problem has not yet been fully solved.

The Prime Minister also addressed the conflict between two groups, the Grays Farm Killers and 2Drilly, and expressed hope for a lasting ceasefire and peace between them.

He highlighted the serious injuries suffered by gang members and stressed the government’s commitment to providing law enforcement with the necessary resources to effectively combat crime.