Source:  Searchlight

“There has been an upsurge in break-ins of yachts docked at local marinas and efforts are being made to curb this, Dr Ralph Gonsalves said last week.

Dr Gonsalves, who is also the Minister for National Security, said there has been an increase in police presence at areas where yachts dock both on mainland and in the Grenadines and steps have been taken to strengthen the Coast Guard base in Bequia.

“The Coast Guard has increased patrols on land and on sea. And in the case of Bequia, for instance, the Deputy Director Grenadines Affairs has vacated his particular office to the Coast Guard and he’s been housed elsewhere so that we can better accommodate the base in Bequia for the Coast Guard officers. There are some other things which have been done, which I wouldn’t speak about, but there is a very concerted attempt to stamp out this particular species of criminal behaviour.”

Speaking in the House of Assembly in response to questions posed by the Opposition Leader and Member of Parliament for Northern Grenadines, Dr Godwin Friday, Gonsalves, though not providing precise numbers, confirmed the increase in break-ins and expressed concern about the economic fallout to the “very important” tourism sector.

“That has come after the good news that we were recognized as the status destination for the preceding year in the Caribbean in respect of the Europeans.”

In 2015, the Caribbean Safety and Security Net (CCSN) published a report stating that there had been up to 10 reported cases of yacht break-ins in Canouan.  More recently, yachts anchored at Princess Margaret Beach, Bequia have been targetted by thieves, with four incidents reported to CSSN in November 2022.

The Prime Minister also said community involvement was necessary to address the situation.

“Not too long ago, there were two persons who were very much involved in break-ins, say a few years ago and the people in the community actually went and knew them, held them and took them to the police.  I think it’s very important for us to have the involvement of the community and for them to report accordingly.”

Noonsite thanks Caribbean Compass for sharing this news report.

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Related Reports:

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:  Security Reports – Noonsite

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Related Links:

Caribbean Safety and Security Net (CSSN)

Caribbean Compass

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Noonsite has not independently verified this information.