Crime is the Caribbean has soared to alarming rates

Combatting "the rising tide of violent criminality" is how they've described it in announcing the special summit on security in April to debate a regional strategy to combat the problem.

Crime was one of the top items on the agenda at last weekend's inter-sessional of the Caricom leaders which was held in the Bahamas.

Regional governments are known to be increasingly worried about the impact crime is having on societies and economies, with hardly a country left untouched by the scourge.

The Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning has suggested a regional police unit and already the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries have announced a joint initiative to tackle the illegal drugs trade.

	Professor Ivelaw Griffith

Guyana-born US-based Professor Ivelaw Griffith, an expert on crime and security, is the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at York College in New York .

He has authored several books on crime and security in the Caribbean and has advised regional governments on crime and drug policies.

BBC Caribbean's Mike Jarvis interviewed Professor Griffith.

Listen to the full interview with Professor Ivelaw Griffith

BBC Caribbean is organising a pan-Caribbean call-in programme - and online forum - discussing crime in the region.

The radio programme will be aired March 27th.

Keep listening - and logging on - for more details.

Listen to BBC Caribbean InterActive crime call-in promo