The government is stepping up its national security strategy with a $4 million investment aimed at strengthening the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda and improving the country’s overall crime-fighting capacity.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Gaston Browne during Thursday’s Budget Presentation, where he underscored that public safety remains a top national priority heading into 2026.

The funds will expand police training, upgrade investigative tools, and introduce modern surveillance technologies intended to help law enforcement stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. The investment includes new arms and ammunition, enhanced mobility, and specialised equipment to strengthen detection, response time, and overall operational capability.

Browne said the move is a direct response to the growing demands of modern policing and the societal expectation that residents and visitors must feel secure in their daily lives.

“Prosperity means little if our people do not feel safe,” he told Parliament, adding that a well-resourced, well-trained police force is essential to maintaining public confidence.

Beyond land-based policing, the government will intensify its maritime security operations. Upgrades to national radar systems, improved communications infrastructure, and the acquisition of a new patrol vessel will bolster the Defence Force’s ability to monitor and secure territorial waters.

The move is timely given increased regional concerns over drug trafficking, smuggling, illegal fishing, and other transnational threats affecting small island states. The enhancements will give Antigua and Barbuda greater capacity to intercept suspicious vessels, conduct joint operations, and support disaster response when necessary.

Earlier this year, government handed over the 38-foot interceptor vessel Swordfish to the Defence Force as part of ongoing efforts to expand maritime capabilities. The new upgrades planned for 2026 represent the next phase of that push.

Following growing public concern about isolated robberies, vehicle break-ins, and youth-related crime, Prime Minister Browne delivered one of his strongest warnings to offenders to date.

“We will find you; we will prosecute you, and we will keep Antigua and Barbuda safe,” he declared, stressing that the government will not allow a small group of criminal actors to destabilize communities or undermine the country’s reputation as one of the safer destinations in the region.

A Multi-Layered Approach to Crime Reduction

This new $4 million investment builds on ongoing initiatives already underway:
• More boots on the ground through additional police recruits
• Improved forensic and intelligence capabilities
• Targeted patrols in high-traffic and tourism zones
• Partnerships with regional security agencies
• Support for community-policing programmes aimed at crime prevention and youth engagement

In recent years, Antigua and Barbuda has maintained relatively low violent-crime rates compared to the wider Caribbean.

However, Browne acknowledged that complacency is not an option and that even isolated spikes must be met with robust response.

With tourism forming the backbone of the economy, the Prime Minister stressed that protecting citizens and safeguarding visitors are inseparable goals: public safety is both a social necessity and an economic priority.