Farmers in Antigua are urging stronger police intervention amid a spike in mango thefts during the peak of the season.
A registered farmer from the Old Road community, speaking anonymously to _Antigua.News_ , said thieves—often young villagers—are raiding farms and selling stolen mangoes on Friars Hill Road.
“We work our land and pay for it. They just come, steal the mangoes, and sell them. We are the registered farmers, not the thieves,” she said.
Despite multiple reports to the police, the problem persists. “We call the police. They say they’ll warn the parents, but the same boys keep coming back. We need help—even from the Commissioner of Police,” she added.
Crop theft is not new to the island. Farmers have reported stolen bananas, livestock, and equipment in recent years. The agricultural community is now calling on law enforcement and government officials to implement tougher measures to protect farms and livelihoods.