There have been no reports of serious crimes committed against any of the 89,000 plus visitors who arrived at the island of Tobago in the last few months according to the TTPS.

In a statement, the TTPS accredited the achievement to to the “steadfast and strategic concentrated patrols” of the men and women in the Tobago Division, particularly the Tourism-Oriented Policing Section (TOPS), led by Corporal Wendy John.

During the period November 11th, 2024, to present, a total of 49 cruise ships have docked at the Tobago Ports of Charlotteville and Scarborough with approximately 89,700 visitors. During their short stay, they visited places such as the Adventure Farm and Nature Reserve, Buccoo Reef, Mt Irvine and Pigeon Point Beaches, Cocoa House, Argyle Waterfall, Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve and various of the island’s historic Fort, to name a few.

However, before their arrival and subsequent touring of the island, a blueprint of several safety and pre-emptive measures are adopted to ensure the seamless transition from ship to site.

TOPS officers, along with their counterparts at the Scarborough Police Station and other units, work together with the island’s tourism and hospitality stakeholders, such as to host crime prevention seminars and consultations.

The results, according to Head of the TOPS, Cpl John, are evident in the feedback of visitors, who “usually express their feelings of how safe they feel and how friendly and kind the police and the people of the island are.”

This accomplishment, she said, involves the sustained and concentrated patrol regime of foot, mobile, and e-bikes, in tandem with tour operators.

“As TOPS officers, or police officers generally, our main objective is to ensure the safety of our fellowmen, but in this case, visitors and the citizens,” Cpl John said.

She added, “We are aware and are responding to new crime trends on the island that seem to unnerving, but to have the upper hand in this fight, we are motivated to ensure that a proactive approach of constant visibility of patrols throughout the island.”

“While our remit focuses specifically in areas where the tourist traverses, as TOPS officers, while on patrol we collaborate with supporting units to address other crimes that affect locals as well and ensure that our presence is felt,” she explained.

She clarified, “When we interact with our visitors, most of them embrace us and encourage us and always tell us that they can’t wait to return to the island.”