Police confiscate illegal firearms
POLICE have succeeded in confiscating and removing 91 illegal firearms from on the streets so far this year.
This is the highest number of firearms recovered within the last five years.
According to statistics provided by Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) with responsibility for crime, Colvin Bishop, so far for 2017, a total of 7 882 cases of crime were committed to compare with 7 492 for the same period in 2016, which shows a five per cent increase in crime.
Of this number, 318 crimes were committed with the use of firearms as compared with 202 for the same period, last year.
Bishop told members of the media during a press conference at the RBPF’s Roebuck Street, Bridgetown, headquarters, yesterday, that some of the firearms were used in the commission of offences such as murder, aggravated burglary, endangering life, robbery and assault with intent to rob.
In addition to the seizure of illegal firearms, the Force has also been able to seize 2 721 rounds of ammunition so far this year, as compared with 1 337 for the year 2016.
According to the cop, this represents an increase of 1 384 rounds of ammunition. These firearms and ammunition have been seized in a range of circumstances that include police-led investigations and special operations.
The firearms recovered so far for 2017 were on display during the press conference.
As the members of the Force continue the fight to get more illegal firearms and ammunition off the streets, ACP Bishop said the Force is making an appeal to the public for information, as the prevalence of gun-related crimes is usually a major concern for law enforcement officials.
“Gun violence not only terrorises communities, but creates a serious threat to public safety. Not only does this have an effect on public safety, but it also has implications for our health sector as relevant injuries create an additional strain on our medical services,” he said.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police indicated that this year, the Force’s policing strategy to combat the use and possession of illegal firearms has been built on four planks; namely interdiction, enforcement, prosecution and education.
“Our efforts to prosecute persons for firearm-related offences have resulted, thus far, with 153 firearms for the year 2016. These offences include possession of ammunition and possession of firearms, the use of firearms and the importation of firearms.
“Our enforcement efforts have resulted in the removal of several firearms from the hands of criminals. To date, combined law enforcement efforts have resulted in the seizure of 91 firearms as compared with 71 for the same period last year. The most prevalent firearms recovered were 9 mm, 40 and 45 calibre pistols,” he said.
The officer said the point must be made, however, that the successes that we have achieved with this part of our policing strategy could not have been realised without the invaluable support of the public.
“I therefore take this opportunity, not only to thank the public for their support, but also to reassure all our continued commitment to keeping this country safe.
“Barbadians are encouraged to give information no matter how insignificant it seems. They can do this anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1 8000 TIPS or 8477, or the Police Hot Line at 429-8787,” Acting ACP Bishop said. (AH)