UK cautions nationals on East Coast travel
Stabroek News
February 26, 2003
The British Government has warned its nationals that that "crime levels in Guyana are high" and urged extreme caution along the East Coast Demerara.
The updated travel-advisory also repeated the avoidance of using minibuses stating they "are extremely dangerous and are responsible for the majority of road-accidents in Guyana."
But the travel-advisory which has been in effect for several years and was updated last week by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (the UK government department responsible for foreign affairs) said that the vast majority of visits to Guyana are trouble-free and the risk of terrorism is low. The Office is "unaware of any terrorist threat to UK or western interests from terrorism in Guyana."
It cautioned its nationals to be aware of indiscriminate attacks against all countries of the world, and against civilian targets in public places, including tourist-sites and venues frequented by expatriates.
The advisory, updated to reflect the current situation, noted that in recent months there have been a number of indiscriminate shootings, armed robberies, carjackings and kidnappings.
In the present situation, it states that "all visitors are advised to exercise extreme caution in Georgetown, along the East Coast Demerara (especially in the vicinity of the villages of Buxton, Friendship and Annandale) and East Bank regions and along the Timehri/Linden highway.
The advisory said that "if you become aware of an incident developing, leave the area immediately." Every effort should be made to avoid travel after dark in these regions but if the journey was really necessary, travel in a convoy or preferably under escort.
The advisory said that many of Guyana's difficulties were common to countries with wide disparities in wealth and where the perception was that all foreigners were wealthy. House burglary and theft from cars were regular occurrences. There have been attacks against ships in and around the waters of Guyana. Mariners are advised to be vigilant and take appropriate precautions.
It advised against walking about Georgetown, even in the main areas and especially at night. It noted that although some taxis had been attacked by bandits, they remained the safest means of getting about town for visitors.
The advisory also pointed out that "political tensions remain." It says visitors should "avoid large crowds, demonstrations and obvious political gatherings. Trouble on the streets can be spontaneous."
The advisory is also cautioning British nationals to avoid the Stabroek Market area and all of south Georgetown. "If you must walk along the seawall avoid the more deserted stretches and walk in a group at the times when other walkers are most likely to be about, e.g. around 17:00 to 17:45."
