The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

POLICE have stepped up patrols in high crime areas in response to a recent spike in armed robberies.

In addition to an increased police presence, police are going door to door in the inner city handing out information on crime prevention.

Police Superintendent Stephen Dean said yesterday: “Not everyone listens to the radio all the time or reads the newspaper so we have to take the information to the public. What we have done is mandated our division commanders to make personal visits to these communities. They will drop at every household and business tips to prevent these armed robberies from happening,” he said.

“We have also stepped up patrols in certain areas between 4pm and 12am because that’s the time most of these robberies take place. We have alerted all officers no matter if you are traffic or patrols to be alert and be on the look out for potential armed robbers.”

Supt Dean said after analysing the latest trend in armed robberies police discovered that more than 60 per cent of them could have been avoided and seemed to be ‘crimes of opportunity.’

“More than half of these crimes could have been prevented,” he said. “We do not see a pattern most of these are isolated, the opportunity is there so the criminals take it. We want to continue to ask members of the public to be more careful and aware of their surroundings. If you are driving home late at night, call before you get home. Make sure someone is waiting and the yard or house is well lit. If you see something unusual please call the police or drive to the police station.”

Supt Dean is also asking business owners not to make deposits late at night and by themselves. He also said bushiness owners should properly screen their employees as most robberies of establishments are inside jobs.

He also sent a warning to criminals and would-be armed robbers.

He said: “We know who you are and we are coming for you. If you have not received a visit from police, expect one shortly.”

Supt Dean’s warning comes hours after police arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with an early morning armed robbery.

Police say shortly after 12am on Friday, the victim was walking west along Carmichael Road when he was approached by a group of men armed with a handgun who robbed him of cash and personal effects. A suspect then fled on foot.

Around 3.30am officers from the Soutwestern Division were on mobile patrol in the Carmichael Road area when they arrested a 27-year-old in connection with the robbery.