THE Ministry of Home Affairs, noting the recent spike in armed robberies, has expressed deep concern over this development.

It said, in a press statement, it wishes to inform that, at a recent presentation to a joint meeting with senior management of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), together with its policy analysts as well the Crime and Social Observatory, it was emphasised that the police will win or lose the battle against crime, particularly in ‘A’ Division, of which Georgetown is part.   The release said the presentation, which was evidence-based, pointed to certain ‘hot spots’ in the city and other areas where crime can be anticipated and, from an operational perspective, the police should deploy its ranks and moveable assets to effectively deal with those specific areas fraught with potential criminal threats.
It noted that, at the end of the presentation, there could not have been a clearer message to the hierarchy of the GPF, especially to the Acting Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner (Law Enforcement), Assistant Commissioner (Operations) and the Commanders of all Divisions.
The statement said the Acting Commissioner has been requested, by the ministry, to adopt the appropriate operational posture to conform with the conclusions in the presentation with which all had agreed.
Further, the Acting Commissioner, with the support of the Deputy Commissioner (Law Enforcement), Assistant Commissioner (Operations) and, particularly Commander ‘A’ Division, has been advised to inform the general public about actions contemplated by police to bring the situation under control, once again, the ministry said.   
Meanwhile, the GPF held a press conference on Wednesday to update the media on its policing efforts after bandits went on a rampage in which they attacked and robbed several city businesses.
           
Gunmen invaded
A customer, Heron Dennis, 36, was shot and killed when gunmen invaded Fuzzy Variety Store in Arapaima Street, Guyhoc Park, in Georgetown, on Monday.
Police reported that it happened about 19:30 hrs when Dwayne Simon, 29, of McDoom, East Bank Demerara and two other men, one of whom was armed with a firearm, barged into the business place and held up three customers, including Dennis.
The other patrons retaliated and were throwing missiles at the bandits when the one with the gun discharged rounds indiscriminately.
Simon was wounded on his back and right foot and is a patient, under guard, at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) while his accomplices are still being hunted.
In another Monday robbery, the Dr. Sen Gupta Dental Clinic, at Lot 122 Laluni Street, Queenstown, also a Georgetown ward, was robbed of $1M cash when two men, posing as patients, were allowed to enter the premises.
Upon entering the clinic, operated by the Indian national, the duo ordered him and his employees to lie face down on the floor as they took the money and escaped in a waiting car about 09:00 hrs.
Akbar Auto Sales and Furniture Store, on North Road, Bourda, in the city, too, was robbed of an undisclosed amount of money on Monday afternoon.
Reports said, about 15:00 hrs, two men went into the business place and asked for the Accounts Department, stating that they were going to do a transaction.
They went to the upper flat of the building where they brandished a gun and ordered the employees to lie on the floor, before relieving them of cash.
One employee was beaten with a firearm as he hesitated to comply with the demand but, after that, the robbers made good their escape.