Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage said difficulties in tackling local crime issues lead to his ministry seeking to adapt crime fighting strategies from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Earlier this month, Dr Nottage met with US officials at the FBI headquarters in Washington, DC, to discuss concerns surrounding the crime problem in The Bahamas focusing on “the drug and gang culture”.

Dr. Nottage said he is aware that his ministry is in need of assistance and is now seeking to fix this issue by mirroring strategies from countries around the world.

“It is important to look t how people are fighting crime around the world,” he said.

“One of the places that we were looking at was Washington. The FBI has a number of gang task force sin different parts of the US which are using new strategies in dealing with gangs. So we went to look at that. The truth of the matter is we have seen a lot that is different from what we did here and the prime minster is of the view that will assist us and our law enforcement agencies to invite a task force from the FBI to come to the Bahamas.

Dr. Nottage said although consultation in law enforcement has not been done frequently it is definitely need.

He said he believes the FBI assisting with local crime issues could drastically decrease the crime issue.

The country recorded 149 murders last year, the highest ever in the history of the Bahamas.

The country has already recorded four murders this month.