Police warn public to look out for loiterers

With an increase in reported cases of loitering, the Barbados Police Service is advising persons to be on their guard at all times while in their homes.

The caution has come from Crime Prevention Officer, Inspector Stephen Griffith, who said incidents of persons loitering with intent to commit a crime were on the rise.

“We have had reports of loitering by persons with criminal intent in several communities across the island. Some persons have had their homes attacked, others have had their vehicles targeted.

“It is time to examine the existing state of security on your premises and address areas of lapsed security. Check your doors and windows and be sure to have your keys with you when you are leaving your home. Do not stereotype and report all incidents of people loitering in your community to the police. Do not leave items in plain sight in your vehicle and avoid leaving the vehicle keys in the ignition or in the door of the vehicle,” Griffith said.

He also advised persons leaving the island to appoint a caretaker to look after the property in their absence.

Griffith said the incidences of loitering were not specific to any particular community or parish.

“It’s not happening in one specific area but when one thing affects one part of the country then it definitely will affect the next. So if you go and fix one area instead of solving the crimes then you will be displacing it. When we put out information we expect everybody to start doing the preventative thing so that you don’t have displacement of crime,” Griffith told Barbados TODAY.

His comments have come as the police department seeks the help of the public in identifying a person of interest caught on CCTV camera after allegedly breaking into a house on the island’s south coast while the owners were at home.
randybennett@barbadostoday.bb