The Anguilla Police reported with some relief on Wednesday, that criminal activities on the island were comparatively low during the January 13-20 period when other previous periods were taken into account.

The report showed that there were 8 crimes committed during the above period. Detective Inspector, Emris Rogers, said that among them were two burglaries at South Hill, where an Ipod, cellular phone and an undisclosed amount of money were stolen.

L-R: Inspector Emris Rogers, Deputy Commissioner Rudolph Proctor and Sergeant Brian Best

Six thefts occurred at South Valley, North Valley, Wallblake, West End and George Hill. The stolen items included soap powder, a BlackBerry phone, cement and sand from a construction site, a bottle of liquor and a sum of money.

The other criminal matter reported was the vandalising of an Anguilla United Front election poster on the Stoney Ground Road, which showed multiple slashes on the material.

There were five arrests during the period as follows: one male on suspicion of theft; another male for being armed with an offensive weapon; one female on a default warrant; one male also on a default warrant and another male to prevent a breach of the peace.

There were 15 minor traffic accidents, two involving injuries.

Sergeant Brian Best, of the Police Drugs and Firearms Task Force, reported that acting on information, 1,078 cannabis plants of varying sizes were discovered in a bush area at North Ridge (North Hill) including tools and other equipment associated with the illegal cultivation. He said investigations were being carried out and certain forensic work was being undertaken in an effort to determine the persons involved.

He referred to complaints about a group of youngsters at a North Side street corner, relating to allegations that they were posing a challenge to other persons entering the village and in the process were stopping vehicles to inquire who the passengers were. He warned that this would not be tolerated as all persons were free to travel anywhere in Anguilla.

He was supported by Deputy Commissioner, Rudolph Proctor, who said that residents were also complaining about the behaviour of the youngsters. Mr. Proctor recalled that some time ago the Police visited the area and one of their vehicles was violently attacked and damaged. He called on parents and community-minded persons at North Side to take steps to control the offending youngsters, warning that the Police would descend on them to preserve law and order there.

Meanwhile, Mr. Proctor condemned the defacing of political posters and billboards, stating that it was the third report so far involving signs of other parties and candidates. He said this was not part of the culture in Anguilla and warned that small manifestations of wrongdoing could eventually lead to bigger forms of criminal behaviour.

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