Lamaha Springs residents burn ‘illegal’ access bridge after spate of robberies

After a spate of robberies in Lamaha Springs, residents yesterday removed and burned an ‘illegal’ bridge between their community and ‘C’ Field, Sophia.

The move was described as a preventative and crime reducing measure in the community.

Chairman of the United Cooperative Housing Society, retired Brigadier George Lewis, said that robberies of homes and persons are a regular occurrence in the community. In the last week, he said, at least 10 robberies have occurred. This represents a drastic spike over the previous months when there was an average of two robberies of homes per month.

With the spike in robberies, Lewis said, residents decided to put a stop to it.

“The community decided to come together [yesterday] and take action and look at how we can reduce the crimes committed in our community,” Lewis told Stabroek News last night.

He said that from their investigations, they found that the perpetrators of most robberies would quickly escape through the ‘illegal’ bridges connecting the two communities.

Robbers would also use the bridge, which is used by some residents to gain quick access to public transportation, to enter into the Lamaha Springs Housing Scheme.

Lewis observed that on many occasions, persons would be robbed while walking through the community or homes would be targeted when no one is present.

The operation of dismantling and burning of the materials used to construct the bridge was supported by the Guyana Police Force. Lewis said that they have also been engaged in discussions with the police to conduct mobile patrols in the community.

He said that with the presence of the police in the community, they are hoping to see a reduction of criminal activities and possibly, the apprehension of the perpetrators.