Further, residents said the Army should assign soldiers along the borderline between the two villages, since criminals from Buxton have been known to wander and walk freely into the Annandale community, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Speaking at a public consultation on crime held at the Annandale Secondary School Friday, villagers criticised the Vigilance Police Station, which they claimed had not been responsive to their needs.

The Vigilance Police Station is the nearest to Annandale, but residents expressed concern over the conduct of the Policemen stationed there, GINA stated.

According to GINA, the general feeling of residents is that the Police and the Army can do more to stem the current crime situation.

The agency stated that some participants advocated a curfew for about two nights and for the Police and Army to carry out house-to-house searches for weapons in the Buxton area because they feel that criminals are stockpiling weapons there.

Residents pointed to the need for increased patrols in the area since criminals are roaming the streets and villagers are afraid because Policemen are normally afraid to venture into the area.

Residents at the consultation advocated more equipment, weapons and increased wages for members of the armed forces, GINA noted.

It was felt that the Police and the Army should have closer coordination and engage in additional joint activities, which would enable them to have control of the situation, the agency said.

Businessmen in Annandale expressed their desire to have licenced firearms to protect themselves and their properties.

They were advised to send in their applications which would be reviewed and granted if approved.

Representatives of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force made presentations at the consultation, explaining the roles, functions, policies and operations of the two agencies.

Participants were given questionnaires to fill out. These sought to solicit views and additional recommendations on the efforts made by the two agencies to curb crime.

The consultation, one of 25, was organised by the National Steering Committee on crime which was established following the National Consultation on Crime on August 22.

The committee comprises members of political parties and representatives of civil society, including the private sector, the Trades Union Congress, religious organisations and the legal fraternity, who were present at the national consultation.

No one turned up at the consultation organised for Buxton on Friday.

Consultations are scheduled for La Grange and Leonora, both West Demerara villages, tomorrow.