A great deal of that concern is emerging from the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, who has recently stated that “…it cannot be ignored that the existence of violent crimes is at an all-time high in the Federation, particularly those involving the use of firearms,”

The DPP, Mrs. Pauline Hendrickson, revealed at a recent ceremony to launch the new law term that the gun crimes account for the 15 per cent of the matters listed. Six of these she explained were murders that accounted for 18 per cent. In addition, there were seven sexual offences, including four rapes, and these accounted for 21 per cent. There are 10 other crimes involving violence, which account for 30 per cent of the listed cases, outlined Mrs. Hendrickson. These are statistics she argued that cannot be ignored.

The DPP also indicated that the current statistics indicate that of the 33 outstanding matters before the court, indictments have been filed for one postal office offence, one kidnapping, one abduction, two property invasions, and five gun-related crimes.

When one looks at the statistics for Nevis, said the DPP, indictments presently before the court include one for murder and four for sexual offences.

She added however that a decrease in property invasions is not a true reflection of the statistics, as it relates to the number of reported break-ins, which is at an all-time high.

There are sixteen cases traversed and seventeen new cases that are listed for arraignment next week. In Nevis there are five cases traversed to the November Assizes. However Hendrickson stated that to date, there is no indication as to how many new matters will be listed for arraignment during that time.