THE Royal Barbados POLICE FORCE's special Anti-Gun Unit is back on the streets in full force.

That's the word from crime chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police Seymour Cumberbatch, in light of a recent upsurge in gun-related crimes.

There were four separate shooting incidents over the past weekend, resulting in at least five people being injured.

"The Anti-Gun Unit will be reactivated and refocused," Cumberbatch told the MIDWEEK NATION yesterday, noting that it would also be thoroughly probing the "acquisition and possession of both firearms and ammunition".

The unit was set up in July 2002 after former Attorney-General David Simmons, now Chief Justice Sir David, expressed concern about an upsurge in criminal activity and the use of illegal firearms on the street.

The House of Assembly at that time approved more than $150 000 to purchase guns, ammunition and other special equipment for the unit.

Cumberbatch said investigations so far had indicated that the recent shootings were "as a result of disputes for one reason or another".

He said the force was not only concerned about the latest shootings, but also had a general concern about the use of firearms in most of the 26 murders so far this year, which compared to 27 for the corresponding period last year.

"We are concerned that a number of these murders so far involved the use of firearms and we are working around the clock to solve them," he said.

To date, police have charged people for 21 of the 26 murders. There have been six murders so far in August and September. (TS)