A Police release said "patrols and other security arrangements have been intensified in specific areas."

In the latest reported incident, a gang of about 12 men, at about 00:45 hrs yesterday, smashed the glass door of a businessman's store at Lot 27 Coop Crescent, Linden and carried away $5,000, nine wristwatches, three Nokia cellular phones and a cap.

However, a Police patrol responded promptly and one of the suspects was apprehended after he jumped into the Demerara River in a bid to escape on seeing the cops, Police said.

The protest, meanwhile, was taken 36 miles along the Ituni Road, where several persons placed fallen trees across the thoroughfare, blocking the main entry and exit points to Kwakwani.

The bridge linking Mackenzie and Wismar was still being blocked with trucks and other vehicles that have been punctured.

Police said they have been engaged in clearing the blockages in an effort to allow those desirous of going about their lawful business to do so without hindrance.

The protest started on Friday with the blocking of several bridges and roads and Police yesterday noted "with utmost concern the unwelcome trend of several acts of banditry that have now entered into the equation of protest action by members of the Linden community..."

In other such reported incidents, three British nationals and two Peruvians were robbed of $US300 and G$500 by five men, who impersonated policemen.

The attack occurred at about 22:15 hrs Sunday while the visitors were on the Mabura road in the vicinity of Wisroc, on their way from the Guyana-Brazil border community of Lethem.

At about 16:30 hrs Sunday, a gang of men blocked the path of four fuel trucks and two other trucks at the Omai Junction, where they proceeded to damage the front wheels by puncturing them before carrying away radio sets, tarpaulin, chain spill kits and other articles, Police said.

And around 22:30 hrs on Saturday, criminal elements broke a glass door of the COURTS furniture and appliances store on Republic Avenue, Linden. They carried away three chain saws, one electric generator and one water pump, valued at $741,000.

Noting the support and cooperation of the vast majority of residents at Linden, Police urged all law-abiding citizens of the community "not to allow a few who may be bent on carrying out their unlawful acts to rupture the harmonious relationship that has been nurtured over the years."