Serious crimes in F Division (Lethem-Interior Locations) are down by 40 per cent, but a whopping 70 per cent increase was recorded with respect to the seizure of cannabis in interior locations.
Police Officers on bicycle patrol
This was revealed by Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram on Tuesday as he presented the Division’s Christmas Policing Plan to stakeholders at the Regional Democratic Council Administrative Building Board Room, Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Budhram further highlighted that out of the 19 murders that were committed, 15 of them were solved. He also pointed out that a total of 33 illegal firearms were seized when compared to 16 in 2015. Moreover, he added that several marijuana fields were discovered and subsequently destroyed.
However, during his presentation, the Commander assured stakeholders that various forms of patrols will be executed primarily during the Christmas season as a means of building confidence among the communities and residents, saying that the Police Force is taking all the necessary precautions.
He also noted that busy areas where people traverse to conduct business will see an increase of Policemen on foot ready and alert to serve and protect members of the public.
In addition, bicycle patrols will be deployed in wider areas as well as Mounted Patrols which are stationed at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) will be deployed to several areas as the Police intend to further reduce the amount of criminal activities being committed.
More importantly, he announced that Marine Patrols will secure the water tops from piracy and banditry.
Meanwhile, the Commander took the opportunity to highlight some of the challenges the ranks in his Division encounter on a daily basis. These include manning the porous borders, disruption and incommunicable areas, road and trail conditions and language barrier among others.
Those present at the launch of the Christmas security plan were the Chairman of Region Seven, the Mayor of Bartica, members of the business community and members of the public.
Only recently, A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara), D Division (West Demerara-East Bank Essequibo), C Division (East Coast Demerara) and B Division (Berbice) launched their Christmas security programme that will come into full gear from December 15, 2016 to January 15, 2017.
