BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRIME MINISTER and Minister of National Security Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris has reported that there was a further reduction in the crime rate during the month of October.
While making a presentation before the Federal Parliament this morning (Nov. 17), Dr. Harris stated that for last month there was a 16.7 percent reduction in serious crimes and a higher percentage during from January to October of this year.
“…Serious crimes were down by 16.7 percent and for the period January to October 2015, serious crimes comprising of the broad categories of offences such as offences against the person, offences against morality, offences against property and offences against unlawful authority, those serious crimes were down 20.1 percent relative to the comparative period 2014.”
He said the number are trending in the right direction. However, there is still concern about the homicide rate, although those figures have too seen decreases.
“While this trend is in the right direction, we remain concerned about the level of homicides and gun-related incidents in the Federation. And I make the further factual point that although homicides are unacceptably high since the launch of our Six-Point Plan, the homicide rate dropped from an average of about three homicides per month to now one. We certainly would wish to bring this to zero.
“Every life lost is a burden for all of us, and all of us must do our part to flush our criminal in our midst. The Team Unity Administration has been giving all resources we can to restore the safety and security of our Federation. We will never shirk from this critical responsibility.”
He said the police and other law enforcement bodies would need to be properly resourced if they are to effectively fight crime. The government he leads, Dr. Harris indicated, is ensuring that these bodies are equipped.
“Our Police Force has been neglected in the past and this Government is determined to invest heavily in the police, indeed in all agencies of law enforcement, to ensure that they are equipped in the fight against crime.”
