HOPEWELL, Hanover — Pleased that additional support provided so far has helped bring crime under control in Hanover, Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson says more resources will be pumped into the parish.

“I had to support [the commanding officer for Hanover, Superintendent Sharon] Beeput here with officers from our Special Operations Branch. Also at the Area [One] level to put some assets here to see if we can bring that down. I think pretty much, it is back under control at the moment and we will continue to give her the support required to keep it there in the foreseeable future,” stated Anderson.

The commissioner was addressing a stakeholders meeting aimed at outlining gains made by the police, engaging and getting feedback from various communities and agencies in the parish. The discussions took place at the Round Hill Hotel on Tuesday.

While all major crimes are down, Hanover saw an increase in murders in March, and this intensified in May. The police attributed the spike to disagreements over the distribution of ill-gotten gains from lotto scamming. Murders are up by 17, when compared to the same period last year, which was regarded as a good year for the parish.

Also addressing the meeting, Superintendent Beeput indicated that several individuals were arrested and thanked the support from the anti-lotto scamming team in Area One along with the Counter Terrorism & Organised Crime Investigations Branch (CTOC).

Police says more arrests are expected. Commissioner Anderson told the gathering that the police are in pursuit of specific people but, as expected, he declined further information. He said, however, that assets have been deployed in the west that will boost efforts to nab these perpetrators.

The commissioner revealed that plans are also in place to improve the mobility of the Hanover police with the provision of motorcycles for quick response. He noted that motorcycle response in the parish is now at a minimal level and once additional support is provided, he believes, this will assist in managing certain types of crimes.

The parish is also slated to be assigned more lawmen, plus given increased access to technology, Anderson said.