Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken says the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has stepped up patrols around Chinese-owned businesses as part of efforts to reduce robberies targeting those establishments across the country.
Hicken made the disclosure during the first episode of the new Police Round-Up programme, where he outlined a number of measures being used to tackle serious crime nationwide.
According to the commissioner, police had recently recorded robberies at several Chinese restaurants and other business places, prompting a quick response by the force.
He said police subsequently assessed Chinese-owned establishments in every region and incorporated them into the force’s patrol operations. The move, he noted, is expected to reduce further incidents.
Hicken said the expanded patrol coverage forms part of a broader strategic approach to crime fighting, with the police relying more heavily on intelligence-led operations, coordinated deployments, and faster response systems.
He also pointed to the increasing role of technology in law enforcement, noting that surveillance cameras and command centres are helping police detect suspicious activity and respond before crimes escalate.
The Top Cop said one recent robbery was thwarted after suspicious movements were picked up through live camera monitoring at a command centre.
Hicken said the force is continuing to build out its command centre network across the regions as part of a wider move from the concept of a “safe city” to a “safe country.”
He also stressed that public cooperation remains vital, urging citizens to report suspicious activity and work with the police in crime prevention efforts.
