Bold pickpockets return

Pickpockets and shoplifters have struck again on Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain. In a release, the newly formed Charlotte Street Vision 2004 and Belmont Committee, said they received reports from customers of pickpocket activity as well as observed first-hand pickpockets in action around 10 am, yesterday. The group is appealing for a return to safety of the streets in downtown Port-of-Spain so that persons can enjoy shopping. “Efforts to keep our street safe need to be consistent if the thieves are to get the message that we are serious about reclaiming safe conditions,” the release stated.

Over the last three months there has been an increase in criminal activities along Charlotte Street, with between 15 and 30 daily reports of varying ncidents. Fed up business owners on Charlotte Street have called on the authorities for more police patrols and a mobile police unit somewhere along the street. At a recent press conference, Charlotte Street Vision 2004 committee members said they were risking a loss of business by revealing the escalating crime to customers, but they feared that the loss of Charlotte Street could mean the loss of the entire capital city.