Barbados Police Vow to Combat Rise in Gun-Related Crimes Amidst Increased Joint Operations with Defense Force

The Barbados Police Service (BPS) has pledged to intensify its fight against gun-related crimes, following a sharp rise in shooting deaths this year.

Despite an overall reduction in major crimes, the growing threat posed by firearms has pushed law enforcement to double down on joint operations with the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) to combat illegal weapons.

At a press briefing at Police Headquarters on Sunday, Commissioner Richard Boyce addressed the alarming situation, citing the proliferation of firearms as a key driver behind recent violence. He stated, “There are some very, very unfortunate incidents which are occurring, and they are happening because of the level of firearms in the country. This briefing is to really zero in and let the public know exactly what we are doing in terms of managing the situation when it comes to firearms.”

According to the top cop, the Barbados Police Service and the Barbados Defence Force have been working together to increase joint operations aimed at taking illegal firearms off the streets. So far in 2024, these efforts have led to the seizure of 53 firearms. This figure is comparable to the 52 firearms confiscated during the same period in 2023, but it underscores the persistence of the problem.

He admitted that despite these seizures, criminals are still finding ways to smuggle weapons into the country. “Unfortunately for us, people are still finding ways and means of bringing these firearms into the country. Some are brought in by vessels along our coastal areas, and some are concealed in cargo, which is landed by air,” Boyce explained.

He assured the public that the BPS would continue its relentless fight against illegal firearms. “Not to be daunted in our efforts, we will continue our fight to confiscate as many of these weapons as possible,” Boyce declared.

While the overall crime rate in Barbados has decreased, the commissioner highlighted a concerning spike in the number of murders. From January 1 to September 7 of this year, the island has seen 37 homicides, compared to 14 during the same period in 2023. This represents a nearly threefold increase in homicides, with the majority of them involving firearms.

“Our statistics show that out of the 37 murders so far this year, 26 were committed with firearms, including one with a high-powered weapon suited for battlefields, not our streets,” Boyce noted.

Despite the rising murder rate, other categories of major crime, including robbery, rape, aggravated burglary, and theft, have all seen reductions. For instance, robberies fell from 117 in 2023 to 76 in 2024, and aggravated burglaries dropped from 54 last year to 36 this year. Overall, major crimes have decreased by 17 per cent, with 592 cases recorded this year compared to 715 cases in the same period in 2023.