April 13, 2007: Anguilla's Chief Minister, The Honourable, Osbourne Fleming addressed the island on Thursday April 12, 2007  in relation to growing concern about the recent rash of  crimes on the island.

The text of his radio address is outlined below:
 

RADIO ADDRESS BY THE HON CHIEF MINISTER
ADDRESSING CRIME SITUATION ON ANGUILLA

Fellow Anguillians it is with a heavy heart that I address you this evening.  Recently there has been a rash of crimes reported to the police.  These crimes have been the concerns of everyone living in Anguilla.  I must let you know that one crime committed in Anguilla is one crime too many.

Anguilla is at a stage today where there is significant economic growth and the Government is satisfied that it has reached its goal in ensuring that there is employment opportunities for all that are here.

The Government of Anguilla has established an atmosphere where investors, foreign as well a local have invested in Anguilla.   On of the reasons why investors have invested is because of the record Anguillians have achieved in making Anguilla a crime free destination. 

It is no doubt that with the recent increase in crime, we all in Anguilla are concerned.  In the Month of January 2007 fifty-one (51) crimes were reported, in February 2007 forty-eight (48) crimes were reported in the month of March eighty-seven (87) crimes were reported.  This does not speak well for Anguilla.  The Government therefore has decided not to deal with crime alone, but has and is still  inviting all sectors of the Community to get involved in addressing and remedying the crime situation in Anguilla. 

To this end, Wednesday, 11 April,  2007 I invited a number of persons from all walks of life in Anguilla to sit with me and my colleagues to address the situation .  It was a very fruitful meeting and all in attendance pledge to support the Government’s and police’s efforts to curtail and by extension to eradicate the criminal activities taking place in Anguilla today.  I therefore call upon all Anguilllians, residents and visitors alike to support the Government and Police in their quest to put measures in place as we address this serious problem.

Fellow Anguillians, tourism is the vehicle that propels the economy in Anguilla.  This is all we have and every one of us is challenged to protect it.  The criminal activities taken place in Anguilla are been done by a few persons .  The criminal activities are not done by a lot of people, like I said it is a few.  There is no need for everyone to be alarm or to panic for as I said it is only a few persons who are committing these acts.

I appeal to all to be your brother’s keeper and to report any criminal activity to the Police.  The Government will spare no effort in bringing the criminals to justice.

Anguilla is our home it has always had a reputation of being one of the safest destinations in the world. Let us go forward in restoring the good name that Anguilla had.

I again appeal to all Anguillians, residents and visitors to realize that crime is everybody business and it behooves all of us to do all in our power to eradicate this surge of crime in Anguilla. 

God bless you all and may God bless Anguilla.