The British foreign and Commonwealth Office on Tuesday renewed its travel advisory to Trinidad and Tobago in the light of a weekend attack on an English couple in Tobago. It warns that "the inability of the Tobago authorities to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators remains a concern." The advisory makes specific mention of the weekend attack.
It says, "In August 2009 a British couple were attacked in their home in Bacolet. The couple suffered life threatening injuries that required medical evacuation to Port of Spain."
Read the story: Officials fear violence will kill Tobago tourism
It also makes reference to other violent crimes on the island.
"In Bon Accord a British visitor was subject to a robbery and sexual assault at her villa in the Black Rock area. Caution is therefore advised when renting villas in Tobago. All villas should have adequate security measures in place, including the provision of external security lighting, grills and 24-hour security guards.
"You should be aware of your surroundings at all times and preferably carry a mobile 'phone with roaming capability for use in emergency. Petty theft from cars has also increased.
"Visitors are advised to visit isolated beaches such as Englishman's Bay and King Peter's bay only as a member of an organised group. Consult your tour operator if in doubt."
Officials in Tobago have expressed shock and horror over the attack. Police say they have assigned additional resources to track down the perpetrator(s) but so far they have made no arrests.
Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London has pledged to institute all measures that would deter criminal activity in Tobago. He also asked citizens who may have information to report it to help solve the case.
London also said police in Tobago are "working assiduously to bring the perpetrators to justice."
Tourism officials fear news of the attack will spread in the international media and deal a fatal blow to the industry, which is already under excessive stress due to the global financial crisis.
Some international media, including Sky News, are already reporting the brutal attack. The Guardian in the U.K. has also carried a story under the headline UK couple hurt in machette attack.
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