The Barbados Police Service is promising a strong response to quell the upsurge in gun violence and has appealed for the public’s cooperation.

Police Commissioner Richard Boyce warns the public not to get in the way of the police when they are conducting operations.

He was speaking during a news conference at the Police Headquarters to update the nation on the crime situation.

Mr. Boyce stated that there has been a significant increase in homicides this year, most of them involving the use of firearms, including in at least one case an assault rifle.

The police commissioner is concerned about the flow of illegal guns into the country.

Mr. Boyce disclosed that crime overall is down despite the spike in gun crime.

Police Commissioner Richard Boyce