6.9 per cent decrease in serious crime in 2020 -Minister Benn

Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Robeson Benn has said there was a decrease in serious crime in Guyana in 2020. The Minister made this statement in his contribution to the 2021 Budget debate in the National Assembly on Friday.

“A review of the 2020 crime statistics indicate an overall reduction in serious crime by 6.9 per cent. This reduction is predicated on the effects of the ‘stay-at-home imperative retire by protection’ from the pandemic as robbery, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, breaking and entering and larceny and burglary showed decline, but murder increased by 13 per cent,” he said.

Minister Benn also said year-to-year figures for 2021 has shown a decline in serious crime by 40.3 per cent when compared to the same period last year. He said the increase in vehicles, motor cycles and beat patrols and the improved keenness of police ranks also contributed to the decrease.

“The reduction is due to provision by the Government resources in the form of 45 motor cycles and support of vehicles and loans from Government agencies along with better use of surveillance cameras and intelligence show the efficacy of this.”

The Minister said safety and security of citizens is important to the development of the country, and that the Force is working to improve public confidence.

Some $22.2 billion has been earmarked to provide a safe and secure environment for all. Of that sum, $15.3 billion has been allocated to the Guyana Police Force with $300 million to be spent on its land and water fleet countrywide.

Another $830 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation and maintenance of several police stations. These include police stations at Providence, Ruimveldt, Cove and John, Albion, Whim, Parika, and Wismar.

Resources will also go towards building the human resource capacity of the Guyana Police Force. Some 828 police ranks will undergo training in 20 different courses to improve their investigative and forensic capabilities.

Efforts will also be made to resuscitate Community Policing Groups countrywide. The sum of $95 million has been allotted to the groups to strengthen neighbourhood patrols and visibility.

The $383.1 National Budget was presented under the theme “A Path to Recovery, Economic Dynamism and Resilience.”