Hinds calls on young people: There is no success in robbing

Days after several home invasions and violent robberies were reported across Trinidad, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds is urging young people to avoid a life of crime and find a legitimate means of supporting themselves.

Last Sunday night, Fazeela Ghany, her parents Rasheed and Rasheeda Ghany and a 15-year-old boy were beaten and robbed at their Ramlal Street, Aranguez home.

In an unrelated incident hours earlier a vehicle inspector was beaten and robbed at his Bejucal home.

Speaking at a media conference at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, on Friday, Hinds said he sympathised with the victims of crime and said he understood the fear and trauma they faced.

"I understand and the police understand. I had a meeting yesterday with the police commissioner and the Chief of Defence Staff and this matter was central to our discussions.

"We understand full well the trauma, the stress, the pain and the abuse.

"We see how they beat that 15-year-old boy."

He said while these incidents were unsettling, police were able to respond quickly enough to confront the attackers in all cases.

Hinds said, in addition to the efforts of the police through the directed targeted patrol initiative, he discouraged young people from committing such crimes.

"There are so many opportunities for training, for personal development to become whatever you want to be in Trinidad and Tobago.

"You don't have to thief, rob, rape and kill to be successful or to achieve.

"As a matter of fact for those of us who are spiritually-minded know there is no success in that.

"Ill-gotten gain can only bring pain to your victim and ultimately to you.

"You don't have to be preying on people."

Hinds also called on the relatives of people who knew about their criminal activities to steer them away from crime.