Spike in crime not linked to elections – Police Commissioner

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud is dismissing reports that Guyana’s crime situation has spiraled out of control since the May 11 general and regional elections.

Addressing ranks and members of the public at the Guyana Police Force Awards ceremony on Wednesday, July 15 at the Police Officer Mess, Eve Leary, the Police Commissioner said that crime has increased since February this year.

“The statistics are showing that last year we had a 15 percent reduction and this year we are measuring those reported crimes against the reported crimes last year….we have seen increases since February this year and continuously,” the police commissioner said.

He further noted that the largest increase in crime this year occurred in the month of March. According to Persaud, what might have fueled the perception of a spike in crime after the election is that whilst there were fewer numbers, there was more violence during May and June. He noted that quite a few of the victims were shot and in other cases, shot and killed.

As to the public outcry that the situation is out of control, the Police Commissioner said that “It is easy for our critics to sensationalise, maybe it works towards the end that they want to achieve but it was never out of control and we see that.”

During his address, Commissioner Persaud also detailed some of the more recent efforts in addressing crime, including government’s Five- Point Strategy, which provides more resources to the Police Force.