Beckles says TT safe despite new UK advisory

ALTHOUGH THE British and Foreign Commonwealth Office has issued an updated travel advisory warning its nationals that kidnappings are prevalent in Trinidad and Tobago, Minister of Culture and Tourism Pennelope Beckles maintains that this country is still one of the safest places to visit in the Caribbean.

Beckles was responding to questions from reporters on the advisory. She said she she would be meeting with National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee “to deal with these issues” and her Ministry “continued to be aggressive about it.” She described Operation Baghdad as “a specific activity that deals with the complaints over time and the last couple of weeks as it relates to Laventille, and concerns by residents and the community.” “There are things the government is doing to ensure that things are put in place where possible to reduce kidnappings,” Beckles said.

She also said the police presence in Laventille gave a measure of comfort to residents of the area and sent a message to the rest of the country that “the police were serious about reducing crime and kidnappings.” On government’s acquisition of Pigeon Point, Beckles said this was still in the preliminary stages. However, she said it was one which the people of Tobago felt strongly about and the parties involved — the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Pigeon Point Management and the community —  were trying to resolve the issue amicably.