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Police powers to hold firearm suspects for up to 28 days without charge will remain in force until 2016, the Deputy Premier announced today.

Michael Dunkley told the House of Assembly that the powers under the Firearms Act, which were brought in in 2010, had been exercised with restraint and had helped secure convictions.

He added: "Since 2010 there have been 12 applications for warrants of detention without charge. Each of those applications has been successful and in eight of those cases convictions have been recorded.

"The benefit of this section is seen in the ability of the Police to interview witnesses who might otherwise be intimidated if a suspect is on bail and conversely, it disrupts the cycle of gang violence by keeping suspects safely out of circulation where someone has been shot or killed."

Mr Dunkley also announced that police powers under the Criminal Code to disperse troublemakers from neighbourhoods where residents feel intimidated by anti-social behaviour would also be extended until the end of 2016.

He said: "These provisions under the Criminal Code are directly aimed at promoting safer neighbourhoods and in practice the Police have activated their use only when supported by the residents of an affected area.

"This section of the Code gives “teeth” to the Community Action Teams around the Island and provides some comfort to residents that something can be done to reclaim communities and promote safer environments for our families."

Both of these additional police powers would have expired on December 31, 2013.

However Mr Dunkley told the House this morning that both would be extended through to December 31, 2016 to help police continue the fight against gangs, guns and drugs.

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