St. Lucia police force shake-up

St Lucia's Prime Minister Stephenson King has announced a major shake up of the police force, as part of new crime fighting measures.



Among the changes is the transfer of police commissioner Ausbert Regis to the Office of the Prime Minister as Director of Special Initiatives.



In an address to the nation last night, Mr King also announced the creation of a special task force on crime, and said the government has endorsed 24-hour police patrols in noted crime hotspots.



Mr King's address followed a spate of murders over the past two weeks that raised the number of homicides so far this year to 21.



That's about double the number for the similar period last year.