ALTHOUGH there has been a significant drop in crimes in Region Two compared to last year, there has been a noticeable increase in statutory rape of teenagers within the Pomeroon-Supenaam region.

This was according to Divisional Commander Khalid Pareshram during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle.
According to Pareshram, there is a 50 per cent increase in statutory rape in the region thus far, as compared to the corresponding period last year.

To get around the problem, the divisional commander said more lectures are being organised in schools, more educational TV programmes are being held and more youth groups are being formed.
He said ranks attached to the Sexual Offence Unit within the division, have been engaged in informative sessions with secondary school children, educating them on positive thinking as well as social ills.

The children are informed about what to do if they are facing abuse or know of anyone facing abuse.
When asked what the division does when a child is raped, the commander said that the victim is referred to a counselling agency which helps the child in getting over the trauma.
Currently, Hope for All and Blossom Inc. are helping to provide free counselling for those who are victims of abuse.

The commander also said the division has seen a decline in crime thus far as compared to last year. He, however, said there are still a lot of unreported crimes, especially in the interior areas. He referred to these areas as the “dark window” of crime as persons are reluctant to report cases to the police.

However, the division remains vigilant and for the past weeks it has been involved in rigorous operations which include police patrols, road blocks and stop and searches. To date, over 100 stop and search exercises were conducted in an effort to stamp out crime in the division, he said.

The decrease in crime, he said is due to heightened police presence in the region.
Meanwhile, a hut has been erected at the Supenaam Stelling to accommodate at least two ranks.

Pareshram said the hut will ensure the waterfront is properly monitored and residents do not have to travel to the Aurora Police Station to make reports.