Griffith: Firearm users’ licences for farmers soon

Police Commissioner Gary Griffith is promising farmers that the police service will do all it can to deal with those who are stealing farmers’ crops and livestock.

On Thursday, Griffith met a representative group of the farmers at police headquarters, Edward St, Port of Spain, to talk about the problem and find possible solutions.

"The Praedial Larceny Unit, the TTPS and you – the farmers, we have work together to deal with this situation.

"These criminal elements – if they decide to target you, I give you the assurance that I intend to target them. The TTPS will do all in our power.”

Griffith said the problem of produce and livestock theft appears to be one perpetuated by a "well organised group."

"This is not a (scattered situation). They seem to be very organised, very structured. So we reciprocate. We need to target these individuals," Griffith said, adding he has information, including the license plates and identities of recent culprits and vowed to have them caught.

After recent meetings with representatives of the affected farmers, the police has now implemented a number of new policies, most of which Griffith said could not be divulged publicly.

He said the police now has increased involvement with the use of the 999 number, the use of emergency response patrol and unmarked police vehicles, and technology, like drones, to patrol the affected areas.

But he said the police cannot cover all areas at all times, so he has taken steps to fast track firearm users’ licences for farmers "based on priority."

Former agriculture minister Vasant Bharath, who is part of the Government’s Roadmap to Recovery team, said he called Griffith after hearing of the plight of the farmers recently.

"It's not isolated to farmers in Barrackpore, it's happening all across the country.

“It is a given and an accepted fact that food security is front and centre of the work of the (government) committee."

Persad, a farmer, said he hopes the police service keeps true to its word to protect farmers. He thanked Griffith for taking the apparent special interest in their plight.