Serious crime in Antigua and Barbuda fell by 10% this year, the Governor General announced Thursday as he outlined several major reforms aimed at strengthening law enforcement and modernising criminal justice in 2026.
Delivering the Throne Speech at the opening of Parliament, Sir Rodney Williams said police data from January to October show a year-on-year decline in serious offences, crediting “very competent leadership” within the Royal Police Force and an expanded focus on community policing, neighbourhood watch support and increased foot and vehicle patrols.
He said the administration will build on these gains by introducing legislation early next year to establish the Antigua and Barbuda Forensic Services. The new agency will handle drug analysis and support the development of a dedicated biology and chemistry division, giving investigators access to modern scientific tools that are not currently available in the local system.
Sir Rodney also highlighted plans to expand the Industrial Court with additional judges to speed up the resolution of labour-related cases, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining transparency and the rule of law. Antigua and Barbuda ranked second in the Caribbean and 38th globally on the 2025 Rule of Law Index, he noted.
The Throne Speech also placed new emphasis on rehabilitation within His Majesty’s Prison. Sir Rodney said reducing recidivism will become a core priority, with more skills-training programmes and the recruitment of correctional officers qualified to teach trades that can help inmates reintegrate after release.
The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, which continues to operate joint patrols and security initiatives with the police, was praised for its role in curbing antisocial behaviour, particularly during peak festival periods.
Sir Rodney framed the combined strategy—modern policing, forensic science capacity, and structured rehabilitation—as essential to sustaining the country’s improving public-safety outlook.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
The doctored stats don’t match the boots on the ground.
All crimes are serious crimes.
NUMBERS don’t lie. People do. people like YOU! if u don’t like it here, move to Jamaica or wicked Trinidad.
No independent thinking Antiguan is buying this bull crap anymore. Each month these political reprobates keep releasing these so-called statistics to try to hoodwink us.
However, the Lord our God gave us us to SEE the truth; and ears to HEAR the horrors that some of our families, friends and business associates get caught up in (and in recent weeks a well loved businessman was murdered outside his home – I bet that figure wasn’t included in Browne’s current stats?).
Critical thinking Antiguans like me are sick to the back teeth with this recent onslaught of “manipulative” crime figures, especially as we read daily about gun crimes, home invasions, child molestation, rape and break-ins of businesses and schools.
Put those in your current crime stats Browne and Benjamin.
Gibber jabber isn’t solving crime. Action does!
… CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT SET OF GOVERNMENTAL CLAPTRAP…
*EYES