Royal Anguilla Police Force: The Traveler's Guide to Staying Safe on the Island
The island's small, community-first police service ΓÇö and the number to save before your flight lands.
Why Go
Anguilla routinely ranks among the Caribbean's safest islands, and a big reason is the Royal Anguilla Police Force ΓÇö a compact, community-embedded service headquartered on Parliamentary Drive in The Valley with field stations at Blowing Point ferry terminal and Sandy Ground. For visitors, they're less a presence you'll notice and more a quiet safety net: officers on foot in The Valley by day, marine patrols along the coast, and a 911 line that actually gets answered by a human within seconds.
The Experience
Walk past the low, pastel HQ on Parliamentary Drive and you get the whole Anguilla vibe in one building ΓÇö orderly, unhurried, unmistakably local. The station lobby is the kind of place where officers greet lost tourists by name after the second visit, whether you're reporting a misplaced passport, filing a rental-scooter incident, or asking directions to Shoal Bay. Blowing Point's substation sits inside the ferry terminal, which is where most travelers arriving from St. Martin will first encounter an officer ΓÇö friendly customs-adjacent checks, not the intimidating queues of larger ports. The Sandy Ground marine unit is the one you're most likely to see on the water, cruising past the beach bars in the late afternoon.
What to Try
Save the numbers before you need them: 911 for emergencies, +1-264-497-2333 for the HQ non-emergency line. If you're renting a car or scooter, stop by HQ or any station to grab a temporary Anguillian driving permit (about US$20) ΓÇö technically required, and officers do check at roadside stops. Lost property from a beach day? File it at HQ; small-island networks mean things quietly turn up more often than you'd expect. Boaters clearing in at Sandy Ground or Road Bay will deal with the marine unit directly ΓÇö bring passports, boat papers, and patience.
Insider Tip
Anguillians drive on the left, and the police run occasional roadside sobriety and license checks on the main road between The Valley and the West End after sunset ΓÇö especially on weekend nights when Sandy Ground is busy. Keep your temporary permit, passport copy, and rental agreement in the glove box; produce them politely and you'll be waved through in under a minute. Filing a report (for insurance on a lost phone, stolen snorkel gear, etc.) is quickest at HQ on weekday mornings before 11am ΓÇö get an official stamped copy for your travel insurer.
The Practical Stuff
Headquarters: Parliamentary Drive, The Valley. Phone: +1-264-497-2333. Emergency: 911. Field stations: Blowing Point (ferry terminal) and Sandy Ground (marine unit). Open 24/7 for emergencies; administrative desk generally MonΓÇôFri 8amΓÇô4pm. No fee for reports; small fees apply for driving permits and firearm/marine clearances. Cash (XCD or USD) accepted for permit fees.
Pair It With
- Blowing Point Ferry Terminal — Where most visitors from St. Martin first arrive ΓÇö the police substation is right inside, making it a natural first stop if you need a driving permit or have any arrival-day issues.
- Sandy Ground — Home to the marine unit and Anguilla's liveliest beach-bar strip ΓÇö good to know the local officers are a short walk away if a late night goes sideways.
- The Valley — The island's tiny capital surrounds HQ, so combining a permit run with lunch at a Valley caf├⌐ or a stop at the government buildings is easy.
- Anguilla Tourist Board Office — A five-minute drive from HQ; pair a safety/permit errand with picking up maps and the latest events calendar.