Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce believes there need to be stronger deterrents in place to reduce praedial larceny in Barbados.
Boyce made that point during today’s debate on the Appropriation Bill 2025, in the House of Assembly, in response to Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir’s inquiry about the possibility of the Barbados Police Service ramping up support for farmers whose produce is stolen.
Defending the Barbados Police Service’s position on the matter, he said, “We put our resources out there to ensure that all available steps are taken and employed to deal with those situations and instances when it comes to theft. In terms of praedial larceny, there is still presence operating in the ‘major agricultural belt’ which is the southern part of the island (St Philip and St George) where most reports of praedial larceny occur. Presently, we have island constables and police officers working together from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. every night besides Sundays.”
Making reference to the Protection of Agricultural Products Bill, 2022, the Commissioner said that despite laws being in place, the crime is generally taken less seriously by the general public.
“We are well aware that there is not the bite when it comes to punishment and setting examples for persons who are caught committing these crimes,” Boyce began. “Now, the law is there, but there seems to be a soft spot in the hearts of some persons—don’t kill a man for stealing those things—so the whole question is whether or not we should set and make examples of persons who commit these crimes.”
He added, “This is something we need to look at very deeply because if there is not a deterrent factor where these people are concerned, you will always get these offences occurring. We will do our best to protect the farmers, but they too have to come on board and hold hands with us and do their part.”
Boyce, a 46-year veteran in the Police Service (formerly known as the Royal Barbados Police Force), thinks the utilisation of technology in farms will bridge the gap in security and protection, which currently exists, especially given the challenges posed by the heavy amounts of vegetation and the thieves choosing to operate at night.
“We engage with them (farm owners) to get them to purchase aspects of technology, that is, putting up cameras, and some others have mentioned purchasing some drones, but that has not come on board in a big way,” he explained. “We continue to encourage those persons to use the technology to their benefit. We have had successes in terms of arresting persons due to the deployment of cameras, so some persons are working with us,” he concluded.
The Protection of Agricultural Products Bill, 2022, currently identifies a person who has stolen agricultural products or livestock as someone who is in possession of agricultural products or livestock and fails to produce a certificate, receipt, or bill of lading as required by this Act; give proof of ownership; or satisfy a warden that he is in lawful possession of any agricultural products or livestock.
According to the legislation, a person who steals any quantity of agricultural products is guilty of an offence and is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of $100,000 or to imprisonment for five years or to both. (JC)
