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CoP Morris concerned about spate of armed robberies

- RVIPF cites crime reduction despite limited resources
July 24th, 2013 | Tags: David Morris crime robberies RVIPF
Acting Commissioner of Police David Morris said he was concerned about the recent spate of robberies within the Territory. Photo: VINO
The Acting Commissioner further confessed that he is limited in terms of the resources available and stated, “I can’t put a Police Officer on every street corner throughout the Territory.”
The Acting Commissioner further confessed that he is limited in terms of the resources available and stated, “I can’t put a Police Officer on every street corner throughout the Territory.”
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr David Morris acknowledged that he was concerned about the current state of crime and security within the Territory in general and specifically in relation to a recent spate of petty thefts and armed robberies.

“I’m paid to be concerned, it’s my job and one robbery is one robbery too many,” Morris related.

The Acting Commissioner stated that it was observed that there were at least three reported robberies within the first quarter of the year and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has taken steps to address the issue.

“We’ve put measures in place with increased patrols and we have actually seen a reduction over the last month [to] six weeks as well as a reduction in burglaries and dwelling burglaries in those areas,” he said.

The Acting Commissioner further confessed that he is limited in terms of the resources available and stated, “I can’t put a Police Officer on every street corner throughout the Territory.”

He cited the large numbers of mobile phone thefts in other countries such as the United Kingdom and said even though the Virgin Islands is not getting that much, yesterday’s Security Expo was an opportunity for persons to understand how best to avoid or prevent these occurrences.

Mr Morris also saw the Security Expo as an opportunity for persons to acquire security and crime prevention devices which were readily available in the Territory.

Commenting on the need for persons to be more careful about their belongings, Morris said, “At the end of the day, people have to be responsible for their own property. We are here to work with the community to try and reduce crime, prevent crime and detect crime but we all have a responsibility to look after our own property.”

Unfortunately, he noted, the Territory is changing and with a population around thirty thousand and many visitors coming to the Territory, it was important to be vigilant where valuable property was concerned.

“Look at your own property and say, is there somewhere I can have a secure room or secure safe that I can put my valuables in,” Morris said, “unfortunately, yes this is paradise, but we have to live with the fact that there is crime here and we need to ask people to take care of their property.”

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