…serious crimes decreased by 17%

POLICE have announced a 16% decrease in murder, as well as a 9% drop in gun-related crimes for the month of July. The Force also recorded a 17% decrease in serious crimes at the end of July relative to the same period last year.In a statement, police said that in addition to the drop in murders and gun-related robberies, there was a 12% decrease in armed robberies where other instruments were used; a 22% decrease in robberies with violence; a 2% increase in robberies with aggravation; a 17% decrease in rape; and a 21% decrease in break and enter and larceny. Burglary went down by 15%, whilst larceny from the person decreased by 35%.

“The Guyana Police Force continues to work hand-in-hand with various stakeholders in both the public and private sectors in a collaborative effort to reduce crime country-wide and improve safety of all Guyanese. This was deemed possible by the gaining of momentum in increasing public trust which spins off into the gathering and sharing of intelligence that result in the solving and prevention of serious crimes and in some instances even the reopening of cold cases,” the Force said.

In the aspect of training and development of ranks, the Guyana Police Force said it has recently seen the graduation of two hundred and twenty five ranks from its various training colleges in the three counties of Guyana. These ranks have been deployed across the seven policing divisions in an effort to boost the present strength and further aid in the reduction of crimes in particular, by increased visibility.

A further 215 recruits were recently accepted into the Felix Austin Police College and currently 33 ranks are being trained in investigative techniques to boost the Criminal Investigation Department.

Traffic management
Additionally, in the area of Traffic Management, the Force has recorded 72 road fatalities at the end of July this year, which is 13 more for the same period last year. “While there was a reduction in serious accidents, there have been increases in minor and damage accidents.”

The Guyana Police Force said it has charged 41,497 persons with traffic offences so far this year. This includes 15,427 for speeding and 1,035 for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Besides, traffic enforcement is continuous country-wide with special emphasis being placed on DUI, speeding and use of cellular phones whilst driving. Attention is also being paid to pedestrian crossings at schools and elsewhere, where foot traffic is heavy during peak hours.

“The Traffic Department is also seeing an influx of newly trained Certifying Officers who will assist in reducing traffic offences on our streets and roadways,” the police noted.

Additionally, the Force said that in excess of 44 ranks have already been selected and training commenced for a number of overseas training programmes in several ‘specialists’ fields as the Police Force looks to bolster its resources in expertise.