Four days after Acting Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis was robbed in his home, the United States Embassy in Nassau yesterday warned Americans living in and traveling to The Bahamas to be on the alert as armed robbery remains a major threat facing U.S. visitors and residents.
"As the holiday season nears with its many celebrations, there is, unfortunately, often an increase in criminal activity," the embassy said in an email.
"The embassy continues to receive reports of crime, particularly armed robberies and burglaries.
"Within the past week, a high-ranking Bahamian government official became a victim of crime during an armed invasion of his home."
On Monday, three armed men drove onto Davis' West Ridge compound, accosted his unarmed chauffer and robbed Davis and his family at gunpoint in their home, police said.
The embassy cited three incidents within the last year when American visitors were robbed.
It noted that a man and woman were robbed by a knife-wielding robber in their hotel room in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
The email pointed out that other Americans have fallen victim to armed robberies in the country in the past year.
"Robbers and burglars will often conduct pre-attack surveillance by observing the intended property and/or victims," the email read.
"This underscores the need for an increased awareness of common activities which can directly impact personal security."
The embassy issued an email last month warning Americans living in and traveling to Freeport to be aware of a recent increase in reported armed robberies.
Crime statistics from January 1, 2013 to July 11, 2013 reflected a one percent decrease in armed robberies.
According to statistics tabled in the House of Assembly, there were 571 reported armed robberies up to July 11 last year compared to the 566 reported armed robberies this year.
More recent statistics are not available.

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