There has been an overall increase in serious crimes in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) for the first five months of the year when compared to the same period in 2019.
This was according to Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus, who stated that apart from 10 murders committed, breaking and entering and larceny have increased at an alarming rate during the curfew period.
He added that reports of breaking and entering and larceny have doubled with 45 cases so far this year when compared to 24 for the corresponding period last year.
However, he noted that armed robberies are down. Seven cases were recorded between January and May as against 11 for the same period last year.
With the increase in cases of breaking and entering and larceny, the Commander noted that this is quite worrisome and is a concern for the Guyana Police Force.
He further stated that New Amsterdam and East Canje have been dubbed the hotspots while adding that several arrests were made.
“Two individuals were arrested for 19 counts and that is just for the Central part of New Amsterdam alone. Then we see the use of juvenile, young persons involved in break and enter…we believe that they are used by adults to perpetrate these acts.”
Brutus explained that an 11-year-old was also arrested for four counts of breaking and entering and larceny.
“Many of the stolen articles are sold up the Berbice River and some have been recovered during eradication exercises,” Brutus added.
However, according to the Regional Commander, the region has been successful in using the available technology at its disposal.
“We have been making use of the technologies available to us by using the fingerprint matching equipment; we do use crime scene ranks to process the scene and then, of course, we have been able to solve many of them using electronic means, the CCTV camera, etc. Even though there has been an increase, we have had a lot of success in terms of interdicting and bringing closure to these matters.”
However, he noted that some matters are still under investigation due to the arrangements currently in place as it relates to COVID-19 and the courts. Currently, only matters which fall under the urgent category are being heard by the court.
Nevertheless, he noted that they have been able to get the court to deal with serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder and manslaughter.
He said some Magistrates have been also allowing firearm matters to be heard.
