High-level security for road march - Cops on lookout for terrorists, thieves and drunks

The police will be on the lookout for people who are highly intoxicated and who might cause disruption at the Carnival Road march tomorrow. At a press conference held at the Police Commissioner’s headquarters yesterday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Terrence Bent said that the safety of revellers and other patrons is high on the police’s list. He is imploring revellers and onlookers to drink and party responsibly.

“While everyone is there to have a good time, your safety should be the first priority. Please protect cell phones and leave the expensive jewellery at home. Please walk in groups and drink responsibly, so this way, you can be aware of your surroundings, and please, report anything suspicious to the police,” Bent said.

Firearm-holders have also been told to leave their weapons at home. At the same time, the police said they will be locking up motorcyclists who attempt to use the roads for the purposes of stunt riding.

“Normally, at these events, there are a number of motor cyclists, a lot of whom are prone to perform various and dangerous stunts. This year, we are going to be more forceful, and we will be having a specific team that will be impounding these bikes and will detain the persons who are operating these bikes. We will be providing information to persons to where they will be held,” Bent said.

Special attention

And as for the people who have plans to steal property, such as phones and wallets, the cops said that they will be on the lookout for them.

“Last year, we were able to apprehend a robber who had already robbed wallets, chains, phones and other items. This year we will be no different, so if the plan is to pick pockets and rob, you will be caught and given the full length of the law,” Bent warned.

The senior cop said that there will be an extensive deployment of police officers for the parade and is urging revellers and spectators to obey the commands of the police, who he said will be there to ensure that the event is safe and incident-free. Included in the pool of officers deployed will be a special counter-terrorism team.

“The event is not known to have any terrorism threat, but we have seen in recent times, when there are festivities worldwide that there have been attacks. So we are not taking anything for granted. The police will be looking out for strange packages and bags and other stuff. We are also urging the public to look out and report to the police anything at all that looks odd,” Bent said.