POLICE ‘A’ Division Commander Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken on Saturday met with residents of Diamond, East Bank Demerara to discuss several issues affecting the area.

Attending the meeting at the Diamond Secondary School were Commander Hicken, Officer-in-Charge of Number 2 Sub-Division, Deputy Superintendent Khali Pareshram, Head of the Government Information Agency (GINA)

and Diamond Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) head Neaz Subhan, Inspector Ray Giddings and residents of Diamond area.

Hicken told the residents that the police are willing to help but they need to get all the resources before doing so. He said that they are working on a programme that can foster police/community relationship and the residents need to help in order for the problems in the community to be solved.

“We could have the young people be the leaders of tomorrow if we do it in a coordinated approach. We are decentralizing the police arrangement and it’s important that when we do this you the residents appreciate it and come out and support. Anything that is done drastically is a recipe for disaster and things need to be done gradually,” Hicken told the residents.

A resident suggested that more day patrols should be put in place because the bandits have been launching bright daylight attacks. He said that they need the bridge that links Caneville to Diamond to be broken down because the majority of the bandits come from behind Caneville.

However most of the residents are complaining about break and enter crimes when they are at work. They also reported that robberies occur on a daily and nightly basis in the area and the “bicycle boys” continue to rob residents.

After all the complaints were made, Hicken told the residents that he will work towards ending crime in the area, but the police will need the residents to assist in order for this to be achieved.

Meanwhile, persons who wish to report a crime in their area or village can contact the Police Anti-Crime Unit on telephone number +5926588874, add BBM Pin 329BB7A2 or visit the website http://ipaidabribe.gy/.

(By Asif Hakim)