US Warns of Rise in Armed Robberies in Bahamas

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26 September 2015 6:38pm
US Warns of Rise in Armed Robberies in Bahamas

The US Department of State has warned citizens travelling to The Bahamas of a rise in armed robberies in New Providence.

A recent travel advisory posted on the Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) website warns visitors of an increase in robberies in tourist areas.

“An apparent two-year rise in armed robberies in The Bahamas has spurred numerous warnings by foreign governments to their citizens visiting the country,” the report read.

“Given the large volume of US tourists that visit The Bahamas and recent criminal incidents in popular tourist destinations, American visitors to tourism hubs in Nassau should be cognizant of heightened criminal risks.”

The full report was not available on the website, however. The British and Canadian governments raised concerns about the safety of their citizens in The Bahamas last month.

On each country’s website, travellers are warned that crime in The Bahamas is on the rise. The Canadian website warns travelers to exercise a high degree of caution on New Providence. The Canadians warned that sexual assaults are on the rise in Nassau.

On the British website’s travel advisory page, it warned of incidents of violent crime, including robbery in residential and tourist areas on New Providence and Grand Bahama

There are widespread concerns about crime in The Bahamas. The US has issued numerous crime warnings about The Bahamas over the years. There have been 110 murders in 2015.

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts said this week the government should give serious consideration to implementing a curfew in crime hot spots.

On Monday, Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade along with his senior command, as well as Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage, toured the Kemp Road community speaking with frustrated residents who said the sound of gunshots keeps them up most nights.

After the walkabout, Greenslade begged for help in the fight against crime and warned that if people in power don’t provide that support, the police would “continue to pick up dead bodies”.

Source: The Nassau Guardian
 

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