Concerned about the escalation in crime in Antigua and Barbuda, the opposition Antigua Labour Party has appealed to the government to take immediate steps to curb the problem, and one of their suggestions is the removal of the Canadian Mounties who hold the top positions in the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

The opposition’s appeal to the Baldwin Spencer-led administration followed a meeting of the party’s executives Friday night, where a resolution was adopted to force the government to act swiftly in the interest of citizens and residents and the country in general.

ALP executives are of the opinion that crime has only worsened with the Canadians in control, and the party wants them gone, appealing to the prime minister not to extend their contracts.

“In light of the looming decision by the Spencer regime, to continue the contracts of the imported Canadian Mounties who lead the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, the ALP executive expresses its strongest disapproval.

"Crime has grown worse during the past two years since the Canadians were appointed; and, the police force has been sapped of its morale by the imported leadership and the evident ceiling placed above the aspirations of the most senior police officers,” a statement outlined.

The party leaders also took aim at the chairman of the National Economic and Social Council over alleged remarks he made, describing it as ‘unwarranted and unthinking.’

They want Prime Minister Spencer to distance himself from Sir Eustace Francis’s statement that the safety of visitors to Antigua “is their responsibility,” and that cruise operators are “the new Columbuses.”

In their resolution, the ALP executives noted that the rising tide of crime and violence undermine security, and places the economy in jeopardy.

“The resolution of the executive of the ALP pointed to the brazen robberies with firearms by masked gunmen, the murder of the tourists in English Harbour/Falmouth in 2009 and as recently as January 19, 2010, the robbery of the couple strolling along Bay Street on Tuesday morning 2 Feb., 2010, and the countless unpunished rapes committed by criminals against our womenfolk.”

Opposition parliamentarians intend to continue pursuing this troubling issue of crime in the Parliament, and to hold the prime minister to his responsibility to all the people to create a safe, secure, economically robust and fair Antigua and Barbuda free from fear.