BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Jun 03 2015 – The authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis are grappling with an increase in murders and shootings, even as the police release statistics showing that major crimes are down in the first quarter of 2015 when compared to the same period last year.
There were 634 reported cases in the major crime category in 2013. The figure decreased to 401 in 2014 and was recorded at 180 reported cases from January to April in 2015.
“However, there were increases recorded in the area of murder and shootings,” the police said in a statement.
Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Timothy Harris noted that murders and other crimes committed with firearms remain a concern and stressed that he expects improved results from law enforcement in this particular area.
A number of arrests have been made recently in several cases including robbery and homicide. Ballistic technology and forensic methods are being relied on to help strengthen the prosecution’s charges.
Major crime covers incidences of murder, breaking, larceny, robbery, wounding, firearm and drug and malicious damage/arson.
