Decrease in robberies, sexual offences in Region 9 – Commander

…issue of prosecution being addressed

Police Commander of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Senior Superintendent Raphael Rose recently provided an update on the criminal activities in the region. He highlighted a notable decline in serious offenses such as armed robbery and sexual assault.

“Region Nine, more so Lethem, you can walk with your jewels, shop free, and leave your vehicle and no one would interfere with your vehicle. We don’t have those serious crimes like larceny from a person, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, and so on… we would receive sexual offences report and that is of concern and we are getting on top of that. So far for the year, we have had a reduction in reports,” Commander Rose stated.
Rose shared these positive developments during an update on the region’s status for the first quarter of 2024 on the Guyana Police Force’s Facebook page. Rose attributed this improvement to enhanced training, modernised facilities, and upgraded equipment for law enforcement personnel in the division.
“Region Nine recently benefitted from three new police stations. We have been graced with three new modernised police stations in the region,” Rose announced.
Additionally, he emphasised that officers in the region are vigilant and proactive in maintaining safety, particularly during important events hosted in the area.
“The region is moving forward. Some of the customs are no longer required. They should go by the laws,” Rose remarked.
In a previous interview, Commander Rose had said that the issues affecting his district for years ranged from prostitution to arson and traffic violations as well as sexual offenses, which they were seeing an increase.
He explained that sexual offences were mainly committed by family members, and as such, he and his ranks intended to sensitise persons in the villages about these types of crimes.
“If it is the Police’s role to [do] sensitisation? Yes, because we are welfare officers at some stage, and if we can avoid these offences…, then yes, we have that role,” the Commander stated.
He explained that they started working closely with the Welfare and Child Care Protection to curb this issue.
“So, we need more, like the child protection agency more equipped in terms of transportation and areas where they can house victims that have been affected, because, in most cases, the victim has to remain in the same house with the father other than if the Police step in,” Rose said.
Meanwhile, while he did not give much detail, the commander revealed that there were several reports of prostitution in the region and these were being addressed.