The British and Canadian governments yesterday raised concerns about the safety of their citizens in The Bahamas. On each country's website, travelers are warned that crime in The Bahamas is on the rise. The Canadian website warns travelers to exercise a high degree of caution on New Providence.

"There has been an increase in armed robberies targeting tourists in Nassau," the website says. "Incidents take place in populated and isolated areas, and even in daylight hours. "Avoid deserted beaches and do not walk alone, particularly after dark. Sexual assaults are on the rise in Nassau. "Foreigners have reportedly been sexually assaulted by water sports rental operators.

"Tourists have been seriously injured using jet skis and other watercraft due to the poorly regulated water sports rental industry The Bahamas." The United States Department of State's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) yesterday tweeted, "When a jet skier starts shooting at the beach, do you reconsider The Bahamas?" The tweet included a link to a crime report on The Bahamas. However, the report and the tweet were taken down late yesterday.

On the British website's travel advisory page, it warned of incidents of violent crime, including robbery, in residential and tourist areas on New Providence and Grand Bahama. "The number of break-ins and robbery incidents reported to the British High Commission has increased," the website says. "There are police patrols in the main tourist areas. "The water sports industry in The Bahamas is poorly regulated.

Every year people are killed or seriously injured using jet skis and other watercraft carelessly, or by the reckless behavior of others." The reports on each website, gov.uk and travel.gc.ca, were updated yesterday. The U.S. Embassy in Nassau last year said that at least three Americans, including a minor, were allegedly sexually assaulted by jet ski operators on Paradise Island.

There are widespread concerns about crime in The Bahamas. Murders in The Bahamas are up 24 percent over last year, according to the Nassau Guardian's records. There have been 96 murders for the year so far. Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts said last week that Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage ought to take a more active role in the crime fight.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian