He reiterated the readiness of members of the British Police Force to provide specialist anti-crime fighting training to the Guyana Police Force and said the British experts will arrive as soon as the required equipment is acquired.

As regards the recent attacks on gas stations and attempts made to set them on fire, the minister said there has been no specific evidence on the identity of the attackers or their motives.

But there are indications of other objectives apart from purely criminal ones, he said.

However, a Police source told the Chronicle the attacks on the gas stations are all part of a plan intended to terrorise the Police Force, creating greater pressure on the "powers that be" and to "make them look bad."

Touching on the morale in the security forces, Gajraj said every effort is being made to address concerns in order to maintain a high level of morale and during this year all efforts will be continued in this regard.

Meanwhile, the People's National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) has expressed sympathy to the relatives and colleagues of the law enforcement officers and civilians who were recently killed.

In a press statement the PNC/R said: "The PNC/R deplores the senseless mayhem and carnage which has descended upon our nation and we condemn unreservedly the brutal crime wave which has engulfed us all.

"No one can feel safe in a country where murderers can be tempted to believe that they will not be subject to the retribution of an efficient Police Force and an effective Judiciary."

The statement added: "The current wave of assassinations of Police Officers is particularly dangerous because of the effects on the morale of members of the Guyana Police Force.

"When one adds to their meagre salaries and conditions of service, the future of our crime and security situation appears grim."

The PNC/R said that the party more than two years ago had called for a public enquiry into the Police Force and had urged that "urgent reforms be put in place, on the findings of that enquiry."

This, the PNC/R feels, would have led to the "restructuring and modernisation of the Force, restoring the professionalism and the development of its capacity and capabilities to deliver service and protection."

"It must be clear to anyone with all but the meanest intelligence, that the restoration of public confidence in the Force is the major cornerstone in the fight against crime," the PNC/R said.