With lawmen having removed 51 illegal firearms from the streets since January, Government will be increasing its support so that the Barbados Police Service can intensify its push to reduce gun crimes.
Minister of Criminal Justice and Legal Affairs Michael Lashley gave this commitment yesterday while piloting debate on the Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Senate. The amendment includes the establishment of a Firearms Division within the High Court.
“From January until now, the Police Service was able to collect 51 illegal firearms off the streets. Fifty-one illegal firearms means there are cases to be done, cases to be fast tracked, cases to be tried,” he told the Upper Chamber.
“Further, I can also say that the year 2025 when you look at the amount of firearms that the Police Service was able to take off the streets, that 83 firearms and 3 309 rounds of illegal ammunition, that’s for the year 2025. Of course, this also speaks to cases too that are pending within the existing criminal justice system.”
Ballistic experts
Lashley, a King’s Counsel and experienced criminal defence attorney, said the authorities must strengthen the Barbados Police Service’s ability to do its job, including as it related to firearm offences.
“The Police Service is an . . . important stakeholder in this pursuit of getting firearms off the streets. Supporting the Barbados Police Service is important, [including] . . . the increase in ballistic experts and use of technology,” he stated.
“I can tell you that in my experience, cases are really delayed because of the ballistic experts being stretched and not having the time to prepare the reports and to prepare the findings.
“So I can tell you that the forensic lab that’s about to be established again and reopened will be working with the Police Service to enhance the technology, [and] enhance their capabilities in relation to firearm matters, in relation to investigations, in relation to evidence gathering, and that’s important too.”
Enhanced surveillance
He stressed that “whatever the Police Service need it is important that we assist them. If they need enhanced surveillance in certain spots, if they need to step up patrols, whatever is necessary, we have to give them”.
The minister added that further support would come through “the establishment of the state-of-the-art [police] station and two magistrates’ courts at Six Roads in St Philip, a new Oistins Police Station, a new Holetown Police Station, modern equipment at police stations, a larger substation at the Glebe in St George, [and] construction of a new police station at Belleplaine in St Andrew”. (SC)
The post Boost to police’s efforts to reduce gun crimes appeared first on nationnews.com.
