Officers from the Regional Security System (RSS) have been deployed in St Kitts and Nevis to help local authorities fight crime.

Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris made the disclosure in an address to the nation late Saturday, saying that “there must be a reduction in the incidences of criminal acts in our country”.

After recent consultation with the High Command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and other technocrats in the Ministry of National Security, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has approved their recommendation to invite the Barbados-based Regional Security System to deploy forces to St Kitts and Nevis,” he said.

“The High Command of the Police has advised that the Force would benefit from additional manpower at this time. The shortage of manpower affects the ability of the police to properly execute their strategic plan and has prompted the call from them for the RSS to augment the number of security personnel on the ground. The Government continues to appeal to young Kittitians and Nevisians to take advantage of the career opportunities in serving their Country as police officers.”

Harris said RSS forces began arriving into the Federation last Wednesday, and “will continue to arrive into St. Kitts and Nevis in sufficient numbers to assist our ongoing efforts at ensuring citizen safety and security. RSS members are already deployed throughout the communities with local national security personnel, and their presence will help local law enforcement to expand the extent of their coverage of the country”.

The Prime Minister said the RSS will remain in St. Kitts and Nevis for as long as necessary until the security forces advise that their presence is no longer required.

St. Kitts and Nevis is a member of the RSS and financially contributes to support the functioning of the regional security mechanism. That membership and financial contribution oblige the RSS to assist the federation when necessary, Harris said.

“It is yet another available security asset and my Government will not hesitate to utilize all assets at our disposal to further the peace and security of our country,” he said.

Harris assured that public safety and security are his government’s highest priorities “and no stone shall be left unturned and no effort or expense spared in ensuring that all Kittitians and Nevisians and all who call St. Kitts and Nevis home are safe and secure”.