In a recent report, The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (R.V.I.P.F) have announced that over 100 curfew breaches have occurred since the government first imposed the 24-hour lock-down in the British Virgin Islands. The territory-wide lock-down commenced on March 27th.
Commissioner of Police, Michael Matthews admitted that the R.V.I.P.F have seen a decline in serious crimes and other petty crimes but due to the high level of curfew breaches the territory have seen an overall increase in its crime rate.
Commissioner Matthews attributed the decline in other crimes to the territory being under lock-down restrictions.
The Commissioner reported 132 breaches of curfew.
“These breaches will affect our data in the minor crime’s category going forward; showing an obvious increase,” Commissioner Matthews explained.
Two men charged for violating curfew
Nikolai Brathwaite, 21 and Dekembe Parsons, 22 were sentenced for violation of curfew during a sitting of The Magistrates’ Court held via video-conferencing on April 20.
Dekembe Parsons saw charges for burglary of a business on Chalwell Street and violation of the curfew being laid against him. He pleaded not guilty to the burglary charge and guilty to violation of curfew.
He was sentenced to two months imprisonment for violating the curfew and was offered $25,000 bail for the burglary charge, which cannot be received until his sentence for curfew violation has concluded.
Nickolai Brathwaite pleaded guilty to violation of curfew and was sentenced to two months imprisonment at Her Majesty’s Prison.