Sorry to hear what happened to you guys,but as the two writers before said, "crime is everywhere". St.lucia is a very beautiful country the reason why i know that cuz' am from there. I have sent many of my co-workers there on vacation...........and guess what? they loved it.

tasha.t, toronto, canada

I won't point fingers or say which country has the most crime in the world but I will say that CRIME is everywhere. Stop blaming the country for the actions of one man. The criminal doesn't rep. the country he reps. himself. These negative comments and perceptions are unfair to law abiding citizens.

Jeremie, Castries, St. Lucia

crime is a worldwide problem,there are viloient crimes in north america and in the europe.is it because we are considered third world that its published that way.what we have to find a solution rather than go blaming and pointing fingers,lets take away colour and view it in a more realistic way

militerie, cstrires, stlucia

I have lived and worked in the Caribbean for 8 years including St Lucia, BVI, St Kitts and Antigua. Not once have me or my famly been threatened by local people. In St Lucia the vast majority of people are curtious and friendly. My hometown of Torquay, south Devon in a far more threatening place

steve brinkhurst, rodney bay, st lucia

My heart goes out to this couple it really does, however how long ago did this event take place around 3 months, so why is it only coming to light now! is is spotlight on the caribbean time in light of what happened in Antigua

Dina, Harlesden, Lodnon

I've got my wedding booked in St Lucia in October and I feel that as long as your vigilant and exercise the same caution that you would at home then you would have to be unlucky to be a victim of such crime. I do feel for the ordeal that the couple suffered, but crime happens everywhere.

Andy, Stoke on Trent, England

What happened to this couple is sad and we all emphasize. However this is only heightened because it is the Caribbean. We are in awe daily at the heinous crimes committed in other parts of the world, including Brittan and the US. However we do not stereotype. Crime is not exclusive to the Caribbean.

Becca, Castries, St. Lucia

The British and US governments warn to beware of violent crime there for a reason - disregard them at your peril.
Obviously the locals want the tourists to keep coming because they have a vested interest and will downplay the dangers

Bill Murray, Pattaya, Thailand

The UK and US governments warn tourists to beware of violent crime for a reason and people ignore that at their peril.
The locals and tour operators obviously want the tourists to keep coming so naturally will downplay any dangers

Bill Murray, Pattaya, Thailand

What happened to this couple and the newlyweds in Antigua was heinous and appalling, but please do not be so ignorant as to write off the entire region over 2 isolated incidents. Graver crimes happen in the "1st world" every single day. The Caribbean remains a top tourist destination for a reason.

Linda H., Toronto, Canada

People in this world are quite inconsiderate and unfair. No one can hide from crime. this situation wud never attract so much attention and negativity towards the country or region if it were St. Lucians being tortured in England. Afterall its paradise here and i can be supported by many visitors

pierre, castries, st lucia

As a St Lucian, I sympathise with the couple in the article, however, crime happens everywhere in the world including London. But think of this: when was the last time you heard of a terrorist attack on the Caribbean islands? Should we then be fearful of you?

Sonia, Castries, St Lucian

As a St Lucian, I sympathise with the couple in the article, however, crime happens everywhere, including London. But think about this: when was the last time you heard of a terrorist attack on the Caribbean islands? Should we then have a blanket fear of all metropolitan countries?

K Huggins, Castries, St Lucia

You can keep the Caribbean,i'll stick to holidays in Malaysia and SG,better beaches to,just don't get up to drunken antics or touch drugs or you will pay for it very dearly.

Chaz, Chester, UK

These folks are the "Pirates of the Carribean" minus Johnny Depp and the special effects, ie colonial history as it was then and as it is now.

H. Morgan, Spiceville,

I imagine the Carribean stopped being Paradise in about the year 1492 when it was discovered.
Since then it appears to have been hell on earth for various peoples at different times.

Geoff, W.Yorks,

Lived in Antigua (yachtie) Mar to Oct 2007. Went everywhere I wanted and never felt threatened. However, do have a friend who nearly died during a burglery. Now in Trinidad and darn't go out at night . Despite the recent sad events, I wish I was back 'home' in Antigua which badly needs the visitors.

James Francis Massey, Trinidad,

I'm a St.Lucian who sympathises with the couple for enduring such an ordeal. My heart goes out to you. I won't tell other prospective visitors that the island is not safe. My advise to everyone is to be on guard; those who may seem friendliest may be those u need to watch out for. Nowhere is a safe!

Amanda, St.Lucia,

Englishmen should only venture abroad with weapons. Thats what made Britain Great.

keith bentham, wigan, uk

I checked out Dominica, not too far away from St. Lucia, with my wife and her girlfriend. There was always that menace beneath the friendly smiles. A kind of deep-seated resentment that you have what they think is theirs to have. My advice, stay in your hotel resort and enjoy your hols from there!

Dr Paul Stanton-Blowers, MD, Boise,

I've been to Trinidad a couple of times in the last few years.

The daily paper has a murder count on page 3. It usually runs at about 1 a day. The population is 1 million.

If the average life exectancy is 60 (just a guess), then there is a 46/1 chance that any individual will be murdered.

Mark, London,

Donna from France, I have lived in Grenada and you frequently see white, young, female tourists out on the town, totally drunk. Sometimes attitudes are based on what has been experienced, so don't automatically lay blame at the feet of the local residents, give both sides of the story

Ann, Toronto, Canada

Dave, you're right. It has NOTHING to do with SA apartheid. Ask the black rock singer Seal about getting kicked in the head by jack-booted thugs just for having the wrong skin color in Johannesburg. This went on for five centuries. There is no excuse for violence EVER no matter your race.

Melaniki, Bossier City, United States

Blame the tourist industry. Need realistic ratings.Rio considered bad I went on local buses, asked police for bus stop.Gave me lift to Sugar loaf ,girl from uni helped on way back.Mauritius guards on beach with sub machine guns.Lisbon mate pocket picked on train. 20 others on ship.
Not a word.

ged , manchester,

Jack in London I would really like to see the statistics to back up your sweeping generalisation. Crimes are committed everywhere including London, it seems to me it only becomes an issue when the victims are Causcasian and it happens in a country or region you've deemed inferior

Ann, Toronto , Canada

I experienced some negativity in St Lucia and Grenada being a white female and a lots of sexually explicit verbal abuse. If you want to go to an island virtually free of that, try Cuba. The people were so lovely and friendly and money from tourism helps the whole of the country.

Donna, France,

Yes, these murders were horrific, however, as far as I am concerned people are now going completely over the top. How can a whole region be condemned like this? Every island is different. Anyone would think that tourists have never been murdered anywhere else on the planet!

SH, London, UK

London is one of the most violent cities in Western Europe. Doest that mean poeple need to stop to go in Europe. Last month two french students were brutally killed in London. Does that mean foreign students should stop coming in this Country? Unfortunately, there are violent poeple everywhere.

cindy, Paris, France

The only coarse of action is to not travel to the Caribbean.

Chris Smith, East Sussex , UK

Michelle, Johannesburg - what does that have to do with Antigua? As for all the violence in SA could that be a backlash after so many years of Apartheid?

Dave T, Harlow, UK

Jack, in London's comment is unfounded, irrevelant and unnecessary. Anyone travelling to the Carribean has to understand that the tourism in some cases is the only industry islands rely on. therefore it will attract every possible opportunist from the begging, fraud and violent crime,like any City

Elle, London,

I sympathise with this couple who just wanted to enjoy the thrill of a holiday and ended up with a sad experience.
Well, well, well, so sad.

Emeka, Lagos, Nigeria

Every country has its bad element. My concern when choosing a holiday destination is whether or not that element specifically targets tourists. Defensive comments on here suggest strong national pride, might I suggest we support our own countries and holiday at home until more confident abroad?

Kat, Scotland, UK

I visited Jamaica and was appalled by the attitude of the locals. We were spat on in the street. However, the people live in grinding poverty & have to see affluent Western tourists partying hard & throwing money around when they live in the most terrible conditions. The ganja doesn't help either.

Neil, Lincoln, UK

Go to Malaysia. It's Thailand minus the drugs and vice. Safe and cheap place to bring up a family too. I have been living in Malaysia for 28 years now. Brilliant place...great weather and lush rainforest!

James D Darton, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The repulsively violent sub-culture that exists in the West Indies is evident here in London too. As anyone who lives in London knows, most of the violent street crime that plagues us here is committed by males of West Indian descent more than any other single socio group.

Jack, London, UK

These type of people are sick in the mind, psycho paths in the making, as he is calm, he may have done it more then once. Thank god. Singapore has the death sentence for this type of people. At times, having the death sentence is not all that bad. Hope this guy gets caught!

KC, Singapore, Singapore

Notice how ALL the victims, here or abroad were UNARMED and defenceless!

Surely a lesson there somewhere!

Palladin, Glasgow, Scotland

If you want to visit the Caribbean try the Cayman Islands. Totally safe and wonderful destination. While Antigua and Jamaica are a total nightmare, you can travel anywhere in the Caymans in safely

Jeff, Nottingham, UK

Of all the places to holiday, what the third world?

kirsty, MANSFIELD, UK

Joshua ,
Put the race card back in your pocket for five minutes .

Rape and murder are acts of an uncivilised person whether they are black or white .
When are some of the West Indian population going to put their black power hand up and admit they have a problem in addressing these two crimes.

Nick Dixon, Sutton, England

Good point Andrew Moore (Koh Samui). Problems in both the West Indies and London do have several common elements!

James, London,

The whole Carribean mystique is a Marketing coup- Jamaica is a nightmare- Most of the places in any of the popular destinations are resorts where one spends one's time behind barbed wire and the only contact one has with the natives is to ask for more towels-

Thomas , Atlanta, USA

I've been to Jamaica on holiday and ventured out of the resort hotel once into town and it was very unpleasant and I was extremely concerned for my safety but more so for my wifes safety. We never left the resort again and we've never been back to Jamaica.

Norm, Newcastle, UK

To those who think that people in the Caribbean and so called "third world" countries are uncivilized and backwards...it is only those who are inherently racist with bigots attitude entertain such views. The UK, USA and Australia, not to mention several part of the wider EU & IRE are worst in part!

Joshua, London, England

Why not take your holidays in Dubai, Seychelles, Mauritius, Australia, the Mediteranean etc. Like the majority of european does.

I cannot understand why British people are so obcessed with the caribbean when they already know it is a dangerous place.

Sal, London, UK

Trinidad is the worst of the lot, but its time that the tourist islands in the WI stand up and be counted for their ridiculous levels of crime. Stories like this one while sickening, unfortunately occur more frequently than you might think. Dont be fooled by brochures of white sands and emerald seas

Stephen Manick, Trinidad,

These are extremely unfortunate incidents, however a whole country or region cannot be judged on one or two events. If that was the case then no-one would go anywhere - especially London! I spent a very happy year living in St Lucia in 2007.

Amy , London,

After years of being taught to hate whites by our own liberal elites, is any of this a surprise? Many of my own brown skinned friends have a completely irrational and naive emnity against whites. Like it or not we are in a race war where revision of history is used by Govt to undermine whiteworld.

J. Bull, Soweto, England

Interesting point made below about the racial disparity of perpetrator and victim, yet no comments about it. Not one.

Why is that, do you suppose?

John Lewis, Manchester,

Crimes are everywhere. We should not be too judgemental to others. It happens in poor and rich countries. These may have been caused by extreme poverty, wrong hierachy of values and poor education. Who's to blame? Sometimes tourists provoke it by looking for drugs and cheap sex. Not all of course.

Anthony, manila, philippines

antony from Melbourne, many British tourists have been kiled in Australia is that a third world country???

Melbourne from London

melbourne, london, england

I once was unfortunate enough to take a holiday in Jamaica and it was the worst place I've ever visited. It's the most threatening and intimidating place I've ever been to. I've never understood why the Caribbean is so popular, it's full of locals who resent tourists. Never again.

Paul Wilson, London, UK

Did a quick search to find the worst places for murders per capita . Here's a sample listing:

2: South Africa
3: Jamaica
14: Thailand
24: US
46:UK

If you really know Thailand you won't be surprised.

william rodgers, Paris, France

Best to follow what I have said all along"only holiday someplace that is equal or better than where you live". Going to impoverished areas because its cheaper and your treated like royalty, along with cheap shopping isnt worth the risk. Stick to Western countries. Speedy recovery to both

Antony, Melbourne, Australia

Go and holiday in the Caribbean by all means, but take the same precautions you would in London or New York. In neither of these places would you stay in an expensive hotel which had access for petty criminals, and insecure accomodation.

andrew, swindon, uk

I lived with a Jamaican housemate recently. Although some of the crimes she mentioned having happened to her social circle at home were appalling, she was equally disgusted by the common nature of violent crime in Britain, esp. London. There is danger in the Caribbean but on a similar level to UK.

Margot, Fife,

I fully understood what that lady went through, the agonising pain and the emotions of being raped by somebody you do not know. my wife have always said let us travel to Africa, but because I know that my country is not save for her and my daughter, I have bluntly told her that it is a no go area.

lopez, london, england

Problem is, the Caribbean islands are seen as little bits of paradise. In the main, thats exactly what they are but just like every other country on this planet theyve rising drug & crime rates. The UK doesn't rely on tourism but parts of the Caribbean do. Scared tourists = no tourists.

Kelly, London, UK

We honeymooned in St Lucia in March/April, we felt very safe in our secluded resort but made a trip into Castries one day. I have been to Africa and never felt threatened amongst locals until Castries, we were harrassed for money everywhere and found some beggars quite threatening.

Janet, London,

Claymore in Forest Hills
Why such an aggressive response to a positive comment? And why do you assume Francesca is a Brit (or even assume it's relevant)?

Shirley, London,

The factors that make the carribean a desirable tourist destination also account for it's popularity as a transshipment hub for cartels ferrying cocaine from South America to Europe. Under resourced regional govts with no proper policing to speak of - not somewhere I'd choose to take my holidays.

Jon, Runcorn, Cheshire

I have been a visitor to St Lucia 7 times over the last 3 years, mostly as a single woman traveler. Personally I have never experienced trouble or seen violence of any kind on island. St Lucians are typically warm and friendly and are proud of their beautiful island. Be aware, but dont be put off.

Cathy, Tunbridge Wells, England

I am sorry to hear about this terrible ordeal and my thoughts go out to all people who have suffered so! The very idea of it makes my hair stand on end.

This is perhaps a wakeup call for people all over the world to be a lot more careful when travelling abroad.

Alex, London,

I spent time with major developer from Antigua two weeks ago. I asked him if there was much crime. The answer came that with the UK and US kicking out Carribean criminals many had returned to countries such as Jamaica obtained passports and moved on to Antiguia and similar locations.

Stephen G, Ruislip, UK

Oh please. You think these crimes are on the rise and that Western civilisation is on the wane. Try living in Johanesburg where this stuff doesnt even warrant a mention on the news anymore - there's 100 times more violence, rapes etc on a daily basis than anywhere else in the world that's not at war

Michelle, Johannesburg, South Africa

I have lived in the Caribbean on a boat for almost 3 years now. Most Islands are safer than a lot of these comments state. There are Islands where crime is very, very low such as Nevis, St Kitts and in particular Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

T Miller, Oxted, Surrey

How lucky I am never to have been through something like this. I've never been to St Lucia, but I guess this happens everywhere, including the place I call home - London.

Justin, London,

I've been all over the World - went to Jamaica once and woud never go again its bad news - Note that London as the same problem often caused by the caribean element who have no respect for themselve or others. I now live in Thailand - I thoroughly reccomend it as safe with wondeful people.

andrew moore, Koh Samui,

I have just booked to take my wife and our young son to St Lucia in March- I am now beginning to think we should not go.

Roy Shelton, Nottingham, UK

Francesca. Who cares? You pick here, in this comment, under that story, to recommend going? Whether or not a recommendation is in order isn't the point here. Be quiet, Brit.

claymore, forest hills,

Chandley,

When i was working in Jamaica before Christmas they had to pass a law to stop school bus drivers showing porn to limit unwanted pregnancy - No civilised country would need a law like this! How many baby mamas a guy has is a common boast! Unwanted children fuel crime.

Gareth Horry, Dubai,

I visited montago bay in feburary, of this year. a friend and i both young women on our own and no problems, everyone was kind and sincere. I would personaly recommend it. We are even returning next year.

FRANCESCA, EAST SUSSEX, ENGLAND

Its safe nowhere these days even Australia.

Parents might suggest to their children that they stay at home.

Avoid travel, pubs, clubs, going out at night to doubtful areas.

The problem?
NEVER enough police.

Governments are too cheap to see the fall of western civilisation.

G.Gibson, Sydney, Australia

I've never been to St Lucia, but spent a year living in the Bahamas. I've also lived in Central America, the US, Asia and Europe. The Bahamians were the most unfriendly, dislikable people I've met and it certainly wasn't safe in Nassau if you ventured away from the hotels. Doesn't compare to London

john, London, England

Used to go every winter on holiday. Haven't been for years; will probably never go again.

Ellen, New York, New York,

I live in Montego Bay, Jamaica's tourist capital & yes, while we have problems with crime, it is rarely random against strangers-the stats support that. I grew up here & feel safer than I ever did in Washington, DC where I spent several years in 2 well-off suburbs-both had 2 gunbattles a block away

Ian Chandley, Montego Bay, Jamaica

John, those ladies you say who demand money to have a conversation have a name, they're called prostitutes! I just came back from 3 weeks in Bath & London when Ben Kinsella et al were stabbed to death-I was really nervous walking around London, especially around young people.

Ian Chandley, Montego Bay, Jamaica

This is awful. But let's remember that we are currently suffering from a spate of stabbings in this country too. Only recently two French students were killed in a way that shocked even the police. Last year a passing Polish woman was shot and killed by cross fire. It happens everywhere sadly.

Paul Owen, Birmingham, UK

Best not go to Santorini either (see decapitation story) or Canada (see decapitation story) or anywhere around London or in fact anywhere. Please all stay in your beds.

Jake, London, UK

It should be required by legislation that there be regular weekly reports on number of crimes committed in these islands destination by tour companies, who often described them as very sagfe paradises. Whereas, in reality these destinations are unsfae and infested with murderous criminals.

John, Atlanta, GA

agree totally that to visit the 'islands' now its only safe to do so on a cruise and you dont have to rely on the local hospitality
for sleeping etc. which cuts down thre risks dramatically from being shot at and raped. However even while on a day trip you are wise to be cautious and very careful.

Russelle Gardiner, toronto, canada

been on this topic before, but the caribbean is a dangerous place and not for the faint hearted or those who are not able to stand their ground. makes east africa a doddle.

john haydon rowe, javea,

Very sad. It's like this in Jamaica. Some women will demand money just to hold a conversation.

I now go to Thailand.

It used to be be Jamaica, No Problem. Now it's Thailand, No Problem!

John, London,

We as a family have visited several of the Caribbean islands, including St Lucia several times, but we were on a cruise. ship We had no problems, except once our taxi driver did not return to pick us up after a trip to the beach. But the safest way to visit these islands in on a cruise ship.

sophie smith, london, uk

My friend has previously spent a year working in Antigua. When discussing this v sad case, we both agreed Antigua is completely the opposite to how this isolated case infers.
People are shot in London, but we still expect visitors, Antigua is no worse than, London, New York, or any other UK/US city

Simon, York, England