Government declares security investments bearing fruit

Government says its commitment to creating safer communities is bearing fruit, noting that the
Guyana Police Force (GPF) reported its lowest rate of serious crimes in over 10 years.
Crime Chief, Wendall Blanhum on Tuesday, disclosed that between January 1, 2020 and
November 8, 2020, a total of 2,468 crimes were committed, compared to 1,700 in 2021 for the
same period. This, Blanhum said represented a 19.4 per cent decrease in serious crimes.
The government has boasted that since taking office, they have invested heavily in the security
sector, including assets and training, to tackle crime. This year the GPF has recorded the lowest
number of murders-119, and clear up rate of 68 per cent. They said that the lowest number of
robbery/murders was also recorded in 2021, compared to the highest of 24 which was recorded
in 2019. The GPF also recorded its lowest number of all categories of robberies with 638. The
highest was 1,531 in 2013.
The rime Chie’s figures indicate that there is a 10.5 per cent decrease in murders-the third lowest
in the last 10 years. There is also a 29.8 per cent decrease in robbery under arms, a 44.7 per cent
decrease in robbery with aggravation, 55.8 per cent decrease in larceny from person, 17.2 per
cent decrease in break and enter and larceny and 36.4 per cent decrease in burglary.
The force has also recorded the highest cocaine seizures in over a decade with 536.3
kilogrammes.
Blanhum showered praises on the full command and control of the CCTV centre, enhanced
intelligence gathering, road blocks, anti-crime patrols, choke points and its auxiliary force for the
reduction in crime. He noted that social crime prevention programmes, intelligence sharing with
regional and international law enforcement bodies and capacity building also played a major
role.
Despite the record lows in a number of areas, government is intensifying the fight against crime.
President Irfaan Ali, on November 12, 2021, announced a statistics-based crime-fighting
strategy.
Ali noted that government’s targeted strategy will include interventions in regions (hotspots)
with high crime rates. He said government is also considering implementing incentives for
members of the force.