Safety in Antigua and Barbuda

The two main safety areas require different preparations. National Disaster Services coordinate warnings, preparedness, emergency response and recovery for hurricanes, tropical storms and other hazards. Drought and water shortages are significant concerns, while earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, severe thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes and structural fires also remain relevant. A household plan should cover reliable warnings, drinking water, essential supplies, communication, shelter or evacuation arrangements and the protection of important documents. Storm damage can interrupt services for a long period, so preparation should account for power, water, roads and communications becoming unavailable. Crime prevention depends more on daily routines and the situation around a home, workplace, accommodation or public area. Keep valuables and documents secure, use appropriate care after dark and be cautious with unexpected online requests for money or personal information. Theft and burglary differ from violent crime, while sexual violence, serious assault, drug offences, trafficking and fraud require different forms of prevention and support. Contact the police or the relevant local support service promptly after an incident and preserve useful information such as messages, transaction records, descriptions and the time and place of what happened. Available police indicators recorded 12 intentional homicides, 140 robberies and 69 sexual-violence offences in 2024. These figures are incomplete and do not measure every incident, so they should not be treated as a complete picture of personal risk. Practical safety improves when emergency preparations and crime precautions are maintained together, with current local warnings checked before travel or activities affected by weather or security conditions.