He said that based on information the security forces have, they are now moving to take steps with a view to bringing the situation under control.

Gajraj made the announcements at a presentation ceremony Tuesday at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, while commenting on measures aimed at dealing with the current spate of criminal activities.

He said that changes are taking place in the Army and they are constantly modifying the plans that are better able to deal with the situation.

The minister, however, called on members of the public to cooperate in this effort, by promptly passing on to the Army and Police, any information which they think can be useful.

And urging them to waste no time, he cited the slaying of a taxi driver outside Johnny P Supermarket, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, following a robbery committed on that business Monday night.

He said it was only after the man was killed that persons came forward and reported that they had seen a car parked up the road for some time before the robbery.

"The situation is of such now that there is much anxiety and there is much fear," the minister noted.

He urged the public to be "security conscious" and very alert and to report any suspicious activity as soon as possible.

Gajraj said the reason for persons being hesitant to divulge any sort of information to the Police is because their confidence in them has dropped significantly. For this reason, special phones have been set up.

He also noted that the Police have lately been somewhat constrained in handling specific situations and gave the example of the Police chasing a car suspected of transporting criminals and were prevented from shooting at them in fear of injuring innocent persons.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Floyd McDonald, responding to the use of the special lines set up to deal with crime, said some calls have been helpful while others have been malicious.