British Virgin Islands Governor Demands Concrete Outcomes For Upcoming Anti-Crime Summit

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands – Governor Daniel Pruce has urged that the upcoming anti-crime summit in the territory must produce more than speeches, calling for “real and practical change” to strengthen security across the islands.

Governor Daniel PruceSpeaking at Government House, Pruce said the summit offers an important chance to bring together government, law enforcement, community groups and residents in a united effort to tackle rising crime.

“The summit has got to have real substance, it’s got to have real meaning, it can’t just be a meeting with no follow-up,” he insisted.

The Governor explained that preparations are being guided by the National Security Council, which now meets weekly and is working to develop a whole-of-government and community strategy. “[We need to] arrive at the summit already with a good set of commitments, declarations, statements of intent in terms of what we are going to do by way of follow-up to translate the ambition of the summit into real and practical change,” he argued.

Gun crime remains a central concern. Pruce said seizures by police, while welcomed, are only part of the picture.

“Gun crime is a good illustration of an area where a number of interventions can help reduce the prevalence of guns and their use and possession in the territory,” he explained. Possible actions could include reviewing legislation and penalties, improving police training, tightening border controls and challenging social attitudes towards firearms.

He stressed that the fight against crime cannot rest on law enforcement alone.

“The challenges that we face in the Virgin Islands are not challenges that we can solve by arresting and imprisoning people. We need a whole of government, whole of community effort,” he said.

The governor also tied the crime fight to broader reforms. He noted that recommendations from the recent Law Enforcement Review provide a 10-year roadmap to improve policing, prisons and the justice system. Work is already underway on measures such as improving the 911 control centre and strengthening prison security.

Public concern about safety has grown after a series of violent incidents in recent years, prompting calls for stronger leadership. Pruce made clear that the summit’s success will be measured only by what follows it.

“We need to have a very solid plan of work moving forward beyond the end of September,” he urged.