Serious crimes in Police ‘F’ Division – Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine — are down to 52 percent for the current period, compared to the corresponding period for 2015.This is the lowest recorded for 10 years. Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre during the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) meeting that murders have been reduced by 29%, robbery by 67%; sexual offences by 14%; break-and-enter and larceny by 82%; and robbery-under-arms by 67%.

The Divisional Commander said, “The enhancement of resources contributed tremendously to the reduction of crimes in ‘F’ Division.”

Tasked with policing the vast hinterland areas, the ‘F’ Division has seen an increased number of ranks being sent to locations.

“For this year”, he said, “we have gotten a boost with ranks in terms of manpower; 68 persons, new police or recruits, came to the division. We were able to beef-up all the other stations with more ranks,” the Divisional Commander explained.

Senior Superintendent Budhram further said the division has received vehicles critical to policing the vast terrain.
“We have more ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), more boats, more outboard engines. We have seen the increase of resources at Lethem with horses. The Mounted Branch is now reintroduced to Lethem. They have a four-by-four pickup now, which they will use to do patrols. At Bartica, Region Seven, we have boats, additional boats and engines to patrol the Mazaruni /Cuyuni, Enachu, Issano and Kurupung areas, he said.

“In Mabaruma, we have beefed-up there as well, with two more small boats attached to the Tamakay base which is at the Waini mouth. They have been doing a lot of patrols,” the Divisional Commander explained.

Questioned about challenges faced by the police in the hinterland districts, Budhram cited language barriers as one. There are Brazilians in the backdam (mining area), and Amerindians speaking their own dialect, he explained.
“In order to make contact with persons in the hinterland, we have to travel long distances to get to some villages; and even though the police are there, we cannot make contact with persons because of lack of radio signals,” Budhram explained.

Meanwhile, toshaos attending the NTC Meeting pledged their continued support for the work of the police, and expressed their concerns about the use of illicit drugs, especially around mining camps.