His announcement came at a press briefing shortly after he received the long-awaited report from the Steering Committee on the Public Consultations on Crime, which was presented by the Chairman, Bishop Juan Edghill in the Credentials Room, Office of the President.

Mr. Jagdeo reiterated his Government's concern and resolve to combat the current crime wave in the country, pledging full support in every way to the security forces as they do battle with a very difficult crime situation, in a bid to return the country to normalcy.

"...we are going to continue. I have said to the Police and the Army that I want a rethink of the plans, the strategies, because (these are) not working. We are not apprehending these criminals", he pointed out.

"We are not stopping the crime rate and they (the Police and Army) have the operational responsibility of doing that. I can only provide the policy and financial support and they have the operational responsibility."

He reiterated that he was concerned about the crime situation in the country.

"My Government gave all the resources (and support) necessary for the security forces to deal with this situation. The security forces are tasked with recapturing some of the bandits and returning our country to normalcy", he said.

"Apart from the financial support, they have been given the moral support of the Government, the legislative support - through the changing of some laws, which some people who were so concerned about crime, today I see them on TV pontificating about the crime situation. They still did not support those pieces of legislation that we put before the Parliament, because they were concerned about the rights of the criminals.

"And today I hear something different from them, but we persevered and we supported the Police in that regard," President Jagdeo declared.

He also announced that the findings of the report presented yesterday will be used to help establish a National Commission on Crime which is expected to be set up in a matter of weeks.

He said the main Opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) would be invited to sit on the commission and when the body comes into effect it will deal with the more long-term criminal issues.

Setting up the commission was in accordance with a decision taken at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit held here in July last year, he said.

The President observed that while the Government has committed all resources - financial, moral and legislative - to support the efforts of the security forces, he was not satisfied with the success achieved in the crime fight.

But he acknowledged the difficult situation facing law enforcement officers.

He was very critical of some sections of the media that glorify the criminal elements while castigating the security forces.

He vehemently condemned the actions of those media houses.

"Some of them have the blood of the Policemen on their hands because they have orchestrated a campaign. Some sections of the media seem hell bent on glorifying the criminals...I remember the case of one union leader...harassing the Police every day and when he was trapped in the building it was the Police who had to save him," Mr. Jagdeo said.

From meetings State officials have had with communities neighbouring the violence-prone Buxton village on the East Coast Demerara, the Head of State expressed deep concerns about complaints received from residents that members of the Army do not respond to criminal attacks which take place near where they are stationed.

He made it categorically clear that the Army was sent by the Defence Board in accordance with the Constitution with clear orders to provide support to the Guyana Police Force.

The President said any soldier who does not give help when a crime is being committed and does not comply with orders has no place in the Armed Forces.

"We have been working with many of the communities which are affected - neighbouring communities to Buxton. The Government has been in that area working with people", he said.

"But in spite of this support we have not had the kind of success I hoped we would have had and I have some concerns myself about the effectiveness of many of our operations.

"...I have had questions about the Armed Forces and whether being there (Buxton) after eight months they are doing a useful purpose.

"A number of people, delegations came to me, and individuals, and they have said to me that many crimes were committed in front of the security forces - they even approached some of the Armed Forces and they were not given any help. A number of residents have complained about that", the President reported.

"Let me make it clear to you. The Army was sent there by the Defence Board in accordance with the laws of the country to support the Police Force. They were given clear instructions.

"The Chief of Staff has assured me that the soldiers know that they are there to prevent criminal activity and working along with the Police to recapture the bandits...If anyone sees a crime being committed it is their duty to take measures to stop it," he reiterated.

He added: "Any soldier who stands there and doesn't prevent a crime from happening or respond to people when a crime is being (committed) - respond in terms of help - then that soldier is not complying with orders. That soldier should not be a part of the Armed Forces.

"There is no place in the Armed Forces (for them) because they are not complying with orders."

Dealing with the situation in relation to the Police Force, the President acknowledged the difficulties being faced by them, particularly in relation to the many Policemen who have been killed by criminals.

"The Police have had major difficulties. They have had - and this is why I am sympathetic - many shot and killed. They are out there patrolling and the criminals (shoot) at them.

"They are subjected to an assault by the media, some of them targeting people and ridiculing the Police", he noted, referring to a report on CNS Channel Six television station which erroneously said that Police vehicles had been hijacked.

Mr. Jagdeo said that despite the difficulties, the Police are giving of their best.

"I think they are giving their best shot," he assured.

He said it was time for a more sympathetic image of the Police and for them to be given the support so that they could execute their duties in an unfettered way.

He referred to an incident at Buxton where some mothers placed their children at risk to prevent the Police from carrying out operations in the village.

"They are willing to put their children at risk. What kind of mothers are they?" he asked.

He added that such persons are facilitating the criminals and at some stage the security forces will have to treat them as collaborators in criminal activities.

The President dispelled speculation that several countries have offered to send troops to help in the crime fight and that the Government had refused the help.

"We even have difficulties in the little help we are getting. We have difficulties even getting their support, much less getting troops."

He also dismissed the notion being peddled in some quarters that the Police have not been arresting alleged criminals and cited figures to show that the opposite is true.