GIFTLAND Proprietor, Roy Beepat, has acknowledged that some security concerns need to be addressed at the mall to limit attempted robberies, such as the one that occurred at the mall on Monday night.

Two young bandits, armed with a gun, robbed the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph’s (GT&T) kiosk, located on the ground floor of the Giftland Mall. “The incident which occurred [on Monday], was the first robbery of this type since the mall opened four years and twelve million visitors ago,” Beepat said in a statement to the press on Tuesday.

According to him, the mall’s 46 full-time security officers of the day shift were present but were unable to respond because they were unarmed. “Our application for arming our head and deputy head of security has been denied by the authorities and their recommendations for supernumerary accreditation being stuck in the system for the past few years. Despite our repeated request to be able to properly protect the mall and its patrons from armed attempts such as this, our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” Beepat lamented.

He pointed out that due to the mall’s “diligence,” security systems, intelligence, cameras, and close working relationship with the police, one of the culprits has been arrested less than 24 hours after the robbery. Beepat said this is a testament to the strong systems in place to deter such robbers, who will think twice before trying to rob any concession at the mall again.
“The mall prides itself on its attention to the security concerns, and deeply regrets this incident, which should have been avoided. Efforts will be redoubled to ensure we maintain the high standards which we have kept since the mall has been opened,” he assured.