Anguillian Police Officer, Detective Constable Glenn Webster, is having the distinct honour and privilege of serving at Heathrow International Airport in London, one of the busiest airports in the world.

Det. Constable Glenn Webster

Originally from Island Harbour, he is the son of the late Elbert and Edith Webster. His surviving relatives on the island include his sisters Rhoda Harrigan, Beulah Webster and Rennyx Webster, a former police officer. Detective Webster served for some five years as a member of the Royal Anguilla Police Force in the capacities as a Patrol Officer, a Duty Officer at Her Majesty’s Commissioner’s Residence and as an Immigration Officer.
After working in the area of commercial engineering for a few years, he joined the Thames Valley Police Service in 1984 and served as a Patrol Officer and in community policing. He later went on to work in intelligence and as a detective of major crimes, stationed at several police stations.
“I was with Thames Valley Police for about twenty years and then decided that I should do something different,” Mr. Webster went on. “As the Metropolitan Police border Thames Valley and they were advertising for detectives at Heathrow, the main international airport in London, I applied for a transfer and took up a position there. I worked in crime investigation within the airport itself and for a year or so I also served in the Human Smuggling Unit which deals with human trafficking within the UK. In the last two years I have been specialising in financial investigation which I am currently doing.”
His work involves investigating offences under the Proceeds Crime Act relating to money laundering and the removal of recovered property leaving from and entering the UK via the airport. “It is two fold and it is a very busy unit,” he stated. “We started with three detectives for the last year and a half and are just recruiting a fourth member. It is a growing unit not only at the airport but throughout the country of Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). It is something that the Home Office is pushing. Of course, Proceeds Crime is something that the Americans have been pursuing for sometime, legislatively wise, and whereas it is fairly new to Britain, even though they introduced the Act in 2002, it wasn’t vigorously pursued until more recently so it is quite an interesting role.”
The Anguillian police officer did his detective training in the early 90s at the Police College in Lancaster. He explained that every specialist area called for further training so he had to undergo further studies for his new role as an Accredited Financial Investigator pursuing cases through the court.
Mr. Webster was told that a number of police officers with specialist training had been recruited to Anguilla from the United Kingdom over the years and he was asked about his interest in returning to the island to serve in any available capacity. “I am aware that there are some [UK] officers who assist the local police and I believe that the assistance is via the Home Office,” he replied. “I have never been approached with regards to working here in Anguilla and I suspect it wouldn’t be cost effective to come back and work here.” Asked to explain, he responded: “If I had to work for the local wage I am not sure that it would be cost effective but I am sure that police officers are paid a lot more now than when I was here.” He was of the view that the UK officers were being paid by “the Home Office” and along with allowances for serving abroad, their salaries were at a high level and it was therefore financially viable for them to be in Anguilla. He was informed however that the Anguilla Government was now paying the UK officers instead.
“I am sure they won’t work for any less than they were working for in the UK,” he persisted.
Detective Constable Webster was previously in Anguilla just over two years ago. “There are a few changes. It is nice to see some street names up now which are assisting foreigners about where they are and where they are going,” he observed. “Obviously there is improvement in the road structure which is good but there is also room for more improvement. I am surprised by the size of the new houses. They are enormous and very attractive and one assumes that the cost of living has gone up as well to a great extent and the way things seem I wonder if I could ever afford to come home.”
On the matter of crime, Webster, who served in Anguilla in better times of law and order, commented: “I was surprised by the volume of violence over the years. When I went to the opening of carnival I was surprised and shocked to hear the Commissioner of Police and another Government official talk about crime on the island. Admittedly it is the largest social event on the island so I can understand [some concern]. Talking about crime within the island, gangs and warfare between gangs and weapons did surprise me to the extent where I thought it might deter people from attending carnival. If they hear that there is so much violence it would scare them away from enjoying themselves. There is no doubt that the world is becoming a violent place and yes there is a need for security measures but I was little surprised to be frisked by officers from head to foot in the way in…I went through what I thought was a scanner but then I was frisked and women were frisked too which did surprise me as well.”
Asked whether he had identified himself, the visiting Anguillian detective spoke to the point. “No, I didn’t in the way in because I didn’t feel that I should identify myself as I didn’t want to be treated any different from anybody else. I thought that I am off duty. I am going to a social event. I was not carrying anything that was offence, but I expect that on the airport and in traveling…but it didn’t bother me at all, I was just surprised by it and the extent to which this island is coming to. I have policed that carnival for many years and know what it is used to be like so I was surprised to see what it has become.”
Nevertheless, Mr. Webster, who left Anguilla on Monday, August 11, to return to London, enjoyed his stay on the island. He was delighted to have spent some quality time with his family and acquaintances and to have had some well-deserved relaxation.

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