BVI Governor demands action, not words, from upcoming anti-crime summit

British Virgin Islands Governor Daniel Pruce has warned that the territory’s upcoming anti-crime summit must deliver “real and practical change,” stressing that the event cannot be limited to speeches without follow-up.

The Anti-Crime Summit is scheduled to take place in the territory from September 24-26, 2025.

Speaking at Government House, Pruce said the gathering presents an opportunity to unite government, law enforcement, community groups, and residents in the fight against 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 said.

Preparations for the summit are being overseen by the National Security Council, which now meets weekly. Pruce said the goal is to enter the summit with concrete commitments and strategies that can be implemented.

“[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 added.

Gun crime remains a top concern. While recent police seizures of illegal weapons were welcomed, the governor said they only address part of the problem.

“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 said, pointing to possible measures such as reviewing legislation, strengthening police training, tightening border controls, and addressing social attitudes toward firearms.

Pruce stressed that enforcement alone cannot resolve the issue. “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.

He also linked the crime fight to broader reforms, noting that recommendations from a recent Law Enforcement Review provide a 10-year roadmap for improving policing, prisons, and the justice system. Work is already underway on initiatives such as upgrading the 911 control centre and enhancing prison security.

With public concern growing after a series of violent incidents in recent years, the governor insisted the summit’s success will be judged by its aftermath.

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