The UK is providing specialized aid to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) after an increase in gun-related fatalities in the group of islands in the Caribbean.
Four individuals were discovered deceased due to gunshot injuries on Providenciales Island on February 1st and 2nd, with two additional fatalities occurring in January.
This is the second time in less than two years that the British overseas territory has seen a rise in the number of homicides, following 21 deaths within a two-month span in 2022.
The killings were initially believed to be a result of rival gangs competing for control of the drug trade in the area. However, law enforcement has not yet offered a potential reason for the recent homicides.
In November 2022, the FCDO of the UK, which oversees internal security for the islands, provided significant assistance.
David Rutley, the current UK parliamentary under-secretary of state for the Americas and Caribbean, has announced that his office is collaborating with the governor and premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands to offer additional assistance.
In a short post on X, he stated that the UK supports the Turks and Caicos Islands in their efforts to combat crime.
According to Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, the UK-appointed governor of TCI, the FCDO has a team of 14 members called the “rapid deployment package” which consists of a police firearms team and criminal investigators.
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“Building our strategic intelligence-led operations is crucial. This is why the deployment includes a firearms operations planner and a criminal and intelligence analyst.”
“According to her live broadcast over the weekend, these individuals will significantly enhance our abilities to focus our resources on criminal networks.”
According to Daniel-Selvaratnam, the UK team will be sent out this week. He also mentioned that the TCI is actively seeking more tactical assistance from partners in the Caribbean.
Washington Misick, the TCI’s premier, who also spoke during the broadcast, condemned the “reckless acts” and offered his condolences to “the family and friends who are suffering”.
“He stated that our population of 46,000 does not represent who we truly are. The prevalence of violence deprives our youth of their potential and causes devastation.”
“This does not align with the beliefs of the compassionate individuals in this nation and we refuse to view it as a typical occurrence.”
Leader of the main opposing political party, the People’s Democratic Movement, Edwin Astwood referred to the recent killings as a significant disaster.
Source: theguardian.com
