Top cop promises action on murders

Acting Police Commissioner Trevor Paul yesterday expressed concern about the spiralling murder rate in the country. Up to yesterday, 125 persons have been murdered for the year and only 25 have been solved by the police. Last year, 117 persons were murdered over the same period. According to the acting commissioner, the police are now more determined than ever to pursue investigations in an effort to solve the growing list of murders. “We will be relentless in the pursuit of those involved in murder and bring those persons to justice,” he said.

He said the police have a responsibility to bring safety and security to citizens and every effort is being made to do so. Paul noted that he was looking at all angles to bring the murder rate down. He was also looking at gang-related deaths, which have increased in recent times. The division recording the highest  number of murders is Port-of-Spain with 35, followed by Northern with 24 and Western with 23. Those three areas will be heavily targetted by the police in a bid to curb the spate of violence. Last year 229 persons were murdered with 89 being solved.