GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC):

A government minister here says police figures are showing a near 30 per cent drop in crime this year, but admits that most Guyanese nationals are not convinced of the reduction.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said activities by some heavily armed gangs had forced many Guyanese to conclude that crime was on the rise and that police "are not doing anything", but he maintained this was far from the case.

"Crime is down by 29 per cent compared to the same period last year, the police statistics show that it is so.

"The problem is the perception out there that there is an increase compared to last year and that the police are not doing anything. It's through community meetings like this we have to clear-up that perception," Rohee told residents on the east coast.