Last updated on Wednesday, 21 April 2021, 14:51 by Denis Chabrol
Amid continued concern over the prevalence of robberies by robbers floating around on bicycles and motorcycles, Guyana Police on Tuesday said it was aiming for those criminals, even as that enforcement agency reported a reduction in armed robberies.
“Recognizing that people with criminal thinking have been riding motorcycles and bicycles in their robbery attacks on citizens, extensive campaigns are underway in Police Departments to reign in and detain these vehicles and arrest people where they are is relevant, ”police said in a statement.
No figures were provided showing how many reports of robberies were committed by robbers floating around on bicycles. Neither does the Police routinely release information about all the thefts committed, resulting in many not being reported to the media.
Police said that despite its crime-fighting posture, members of the public must remain safety conscious as they go about their daily efforts and urge that they, as well as other safety precautions, try to refrain from moving around with large amounts of cash and avoiding routines in their movements, wherever practicable.
Although police said a number of motorcycles and bicycles have been taken into custody and are being processed to determine if they have been stolen and other issues, that civil law enforcement agency reported a 38.4% reduction in armed robberies where firearms were used and a 47.7% reduction in armed robberies where other instruments were used.
The police said that overall, there has been a 29.8 percent reduction in serious crime for 2021 to date compared to the same period last year. In particular, police said the number of homicides fell by 22.9 percent, with 37 so far this year compared with 48 for the same period last year.
No reference was made to the number of domestic and sexual offenses.
Police said there had been intelligence-led strategies including mobile, foot and bicycle patrols; roadblocks, raids and searches among others; together with the support of the Neighborhood Policing Groups.
Guyana Police says it looks forward to the continued support of the public who can convey tips and information to the Police in confidence through the following numbers.
HQ – 226-6978 / 225-8196
225-2700 / 225-6411
Region # 1 – 777-5007 / 688-7084
Region # 2 – 771-5004 / 774-4222
Region # 3 – 268-2338 / 2329
Region # 4 ‘A’ – 227-1149 / 225-3064
227-1270 / 227-1611
Region # 4 ‘B’ – 608-2284 / 2160251/0252/0253
Region # 4 ‘C’ – 229-2700-2750 / 2019
Region # 5 – 232-0313 / 232-0291
Region # 6 – 333-2151 / 333-5564
Region # 7 – 455-2222 / 2241/2238
Region # 8 – 638-8440
Region # 9 – 772-2087 / 2005
Region # 10 – 444-3429 / 444-3512 / 3297