The Joint Services, he said, are continuing their intelligence gathering and their searches for remaining or emerging criminals.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) quotes the Minister as saying that an examination of the situation at this stage shows that the number of persons apprehended and notorious criminals killed to date indicate the fight against crime has been successful.

According to the Guyana Police Force, more than 100 civilians were killed during the period of increased crime, while 22 Policemen and two members of the Guyana Defence Force were also killed.

On the other hand, wanted bulletins were issued for 42 notorious criminals, 25 of whom were killed. Seven were arrested and ten are still at large. Two of the wanted criminals have given themselves over to the Police.

Minister Gajraj was responding to Messrs. Alex Graham and Enrico Woolford who on television programme, Spotlight, last Thursday opined that dead bodies were not an indication of justice or policing success.

According to the Minister, the crime situation must be measured according to time periods to ascertain whether there have been successes from measures implemented.

Following the infamous jailbreak by five escapees from the Camp Street Prison there was a sharp increase of violent crimes. President Bharrat Jagdeo, on June 7 last year, announced a menu of measures to counter the sharp increase in criminal activity.

Among the measures were the allocation of $100M for the improvement in weaponry, protective gear and transportation facilities for the Police Force, a reform of the intelligence sector, the establishment of a training centre and the setting up of a special anti-crime unit.

Last January, a further $20M was allocated for the purchase of protective gear for the Police Force, and an additional $10M for the purchase of motorcars.

In addition, a national Steering Committee was established under the Chairmanship of Bishop Juan Edghill to oversee national consultations on crime, which were held across all the administrative Regions in Guyana. A report of the consultations has since been compiled and submitted to the President.