Police increase patrols amid surge in robberies
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has increased targeted patrols across the territory following three armed robberies at businesses on Tortola in recent weeks, including two incidents on consecutive nights over the weekend.
In a statement issued on Monday, police said the latest robberies occurred on Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, shortly before 8 pm at business establishments in Manuel Reef and Road Reef.
Preliminary investigations indicate that two masked men wearing gloves and travelling on scooters were involved in both incidents.
The robberies followed an earlier incident on September 25, when two masked men dressed in black entered a business establishment along Blackburn Highway in the Purcell area shortly after 9:30 pm and demanded cash.
Police said one of the suspects appeared to be carrying a handgun. The perpetrators reportedly removed cash from registers before fleeing the scene.
Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding all three robberies, including whether the incidents are connected.
The latest crimes come despite police statistics showing a 50 per cent reduction in robberies between January and August 2026 compared with the corresponding period last year.
Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool acknowledged the seriousness of the recent incidents and their effect on public confidence.
“While the reduction in robberies earlier this year is encouraging, these recent incidents are deeply concerning and demand our continued attention. The use of firearms to threaten and intimidate members of our community is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Vanterpool stated.
“No business owner, employee, or member of the public should have to live or work under the threat of armed violence,” she added.
Police said the increased patrols are intended to strengthen tactical responses, deter criminal activity and provide additional support to businesses and residents.
Detectives have also developed information that has prompted several lines of inquiry, although police said they could not disclose specific details while investigations continue.
Vanterpool appealed for public assistance in identifying those responsible.
“We are determined to bring those responsible to justice, but we cannot do so without the support of the community. I urge anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity to come forward. Even the smallest piece of information may be critical to our investigations,” she stated.
Police urged businesses to ensure their CCTV systems are functioning, avoid displaying large amounts of cash and report suspicious activity, particularly involving people concealing their identities.
The RVIPF said the victims have been offered support and encouraged anyone with information to contact its Intelligence Unit at 368-9593. All information will be treated confidentially.
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On islands as small as ours, visible policing should be the norm, not the exception. Regular foot patrols in Road Town and across every community, whether on Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, or Anegada, should be part of everyday policing, especially around commercial areas, banks, and other high-traffic locations.
Cameras have their place, but they cannot replace officers on the ground. People notice when police are present, and that presence alone can deter crime while giving residents and businesses greater confidence.
We need to be proactive, not reactive. Increasing patrols only after a series of robberies is not a sustainable strategy. Effective leadership means getting ahead of problems and working to prevent crime before it occurs.
It is frustrating how the same people could allegedly continue doing this for years when the territory is relatively small and surveillance cameras are being installed at major junctions and along the roads.
What is preventing the authorities from identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice?
There are several questions the public deserves answers to:
Surveillance: Are the cameras working, being monitored, and providing usable evidence?
Police presence: Are there regular patrols, especially in areas where incidents repeatedly occur?
Possible protection: If there is credible evidence that anyone is helping those responsible evade arrest, has that possibility been investigated independently? Are the parents and families sheltering children who they suspect to be involved with illegal activities?
Investigations: Are cases being followed through, and are patterns across incidents being connected? Who is hiding evidence that causes the government to lose cases again?
Accountability: What measurable changes have been made under the new Police Commissioner?
The suspicion that someone may be sheltering those responsible is understandable, but it would take evidence to establish whether that is happening. The public should not have to rely on speculation; the authorities should communicate what they can about their investigations and explain what is being done to improve public safety.
There is a loss of confidence people feel when the same problems keep happening.
I thought the crime summit had fixed this problem
Police to darn reactive. Sick of them mow.
RVIPF Always late to the party!!!
Only see then when there’s a traffic incident and after that – hibernation. No officers walking the beat anymore. No cops anywhere except by Pier Park when a cruise ship is in and then they handing out tickets to residents for B$ to act like they’re working for that paycheck.
RVIPF – come off ayo high horse and do wuk! Ayo want to ticket ppl yet man on scooter with young girls riding without helmets and no energy for them.
I wish I could stop paying taxes cause I don’t see the benefits at all…..
Now the police going to harras the vehicle drivers while the scooters simple turn around and disappear when they see stop and search going on.
So the scooter crooks will wait until patrols go back to usual non existing and then start their sh** again.
More stop and search on the roads please.
We need someone who has credentials and experience as commissioner