Several people yesterday expressed disbelief and anger over reports that the number of women killed across the island since the start of the year is 30 per cent above last year.

Callers to our news room and talk shows were dismayed at the number of women, and called for the authorities to take further action.

Among those expressing concern was Opposition Spokesperson on Gender and Religious Affairs, Senator Sandrea Falconer.

Address urgently

She demanded that Minister of National Security, Colonel Trevor MacMillan, urgently address what she described as a crisis.

Falconer also urged the national security minister to put in place additional measures to reduce the threat to the lives of women and children.

"Those responsible for these dastardly acts against our women and children are attacking the very fabric of our society and no resource must be spared in hunting them down and bringing them to justice," said Falconer.

Another murder

Hours before Falconer's statement, the police reported that yet another woman had been murdered.

Ann-Marie Christie, 37, a member of the Municipal Police of the St James Parish Council was shot dead at her home on Dapper's Lane, Glendevon.

It is reported that about 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Christie was at her home when five men armed with rifles kicked open the front door and fired several shots, hitting her.

The police were summoned; they found Christie on the floor with gunshot wounds.

She was was pronounced dead at hospital.