The Tribune

THE Democratic National Alliance hit out at opposition leader Perry Christie for saying the fledgling party is "clueless" when it comes to fighting violent crime.

Calling Mr Christie's remarks "utter nonsense", the DNA noted that serious crime, specifically murder, has been on an upward spiral since the PLP took office in 2002.

At the beginning of Mr Christie's term, there were 52 murders committed in the Bahamas, but by the end of 2007 when he left office, there were 79, DNA Leader Branville McCartney said.

He said the facts show Mr Christie was a "complete failure" when it came to fighting crime.

Mr McCartney said: "Their 'Tough on Crime' and 'Operation Cease Fire' policies are nothing more than well written rhetoric, something the PLP and Mr Christie have mastered."

The FNM is "equally delusional" if it really believes it has fought crime effectively over the last five years," said the DNA in a press statement.

"Under the leadership of Hubert Ingraham and the Free National Movement, serious crime and murder have nearly doubled.

"The ankle bracelets, the CCTV and the tough on crime rhetoric have all failed and this is one of the reasons why the Bahamas has seen four murder records in five years," the party said.