At the weekly Wednesday press briefing, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, Illidge Richardson, said he and other personnel had reason to be proud of the role they played in the search for Sam Webster, the Island Harbour fisherman, who was lost at sea last weekend.

Mr. Illidge Richardson

He was at the time complaining that the Police Officers did not get their share of commendation as a number of other persons were given. He went into much detail about the arrangements made by him and other officers to engage the services of the Dutch St. Maarten helicopter and coast guard as well as their contacts with French St. Maarten and other French territories about possible assistance.

He explained that the Police Launch was not among the search and rescue craft as it was now under repair in St. Maarten. He said nevertheless that a police team was on the Fisheries boat which assisted in the search and which eventually found the fisherman.

The Deputy Commissioner was happy that Sam Webster was eventually rescued and that he was now recovering from his ordeal. He was grateful to all boatman and other persons in Anguilla who assisted in the search.

He appealed to other fisherman to exercise caution and good sense at sea and to ensure they are equipped with every possible life-saving device in case of difficulties.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police, Rudolph Proctor, expressed concern over the rumours and unfounded reports which were spread by many persons and which had led the police to treat the matter as an investigative case. Another matter, on which he strongly spoke, was the general practice for persons to crowd areas which should be reserved for the first responders to any given situation such as the police, medical and emergency personnel.

He advised that such behaviour by the public could interfere with valuable evidence needed to assist the police with their investigations and could also cause harm to persons on the scene in need of care.

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