Former Minister Accuses Government of Manipulating Crime Statistics

While the Police Commissioner has reported a decline in major crimes, former Minister of National Security, Michael Peyrefitte, essentially says that the figures presented are being adjusted to suit the government.

Michael Peyrefitte, UDP Chairman: “The crime situation is getting worse and worse. Because even though you may point to a few numbers didn’t suit them, they didn’t talk to numbers and statistics. Now that technically you don’t have murders as much which is the most high profile crime you could have you can say crime is down but crime is not down. Remember the big ones in terms of what is a reflection of your economy are burglaries and robberies. Those are not down and not only that the policy of this government is that any burglary or robbery under $5,000 is not reported in the statistics and most burglaries and robberies are under $5,000. So all they’re doing they’re juking the stats, they’re influencing the stats like when the Prime Minister comes and says 2.8% unemployment. Are you out of your mind ? If there was ever a time to say “Da fool di talk but dah no fool di listen.” So all they do is adjust the stats and put it out there thinking that people will buy it but fundamentally speaking we are not safe. We do not feel safe. The numbers don’t lie about crimes other than murder and there is dysfunction and disruption within the police department. They do not have much confidence in their leadership, they do not seem to think that they are doing their jobs properly in terms of them being recognized for doing their jobs properly and people who don’t deserve it are getting promotions, people who deserve it are not getting promotions and so the morale is extremely low and as long as that morale is low within the department then they will not be as effective in fighting or deterring crime. So it is not good. we’re in a terrible state and changes need to be made.”

And as if the Commissioner of Police had a crystal ball, he preempted criticisms from the opposition, and noted that regardless of the opposition’s claim of his ineffectiveness, the numbers prove otherwise.