Country enjoys murder-free week

Homicide officers are of the view that murders have dropped as a result of the anti-crime plan introduced by Police Commissioner Trevor Paul. Up to yesterday, 178 persons were murdered for the year. Last year, 158 persons were murdered during the same period. There have been no murders in the past seven days, which stands out when compared to previous weeks, when police recorded one murder per night in the Laventille, Belmont and Besson Street areas.

However, Paul yesterday said it was too early to say whether the new anti-crime plan was reaping the desired results. He pointed out that since the recall of police officers on leave to carry out duties in 18 hot-spots, the crime rate seems to have fallen, but he is yet to review the figures. The commissioner is of the belief that the anti-crime plan will create the impact it was intended to. He maintained that police officers will continue to conduct round-the-clock patrols and try to deal effectively with crime, in a bid to restore a sense of security among citizens.

Paul told Newsday he was closely monitoring the situation, and promised that every effort was being made to ensure that criminal activity is reduced. He pleaded with members of the public to work closely with the police by sharing information which could lead to arrests and the seizure of illicit drugs, arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons. According to the commissioner, the police and army cannot achieve the desired results without the assistance and cooperation of law abiding citizens.