Tackling praedial larceny: Cops conduct nearly 4,000 raids in 2022

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, conducted 3,849 special operations/raids over the past year, as part of stepped-up efforts to tackle praedial larceny.

The raids aside, 30 farm watch groups were also established, 142 arrests were made relating to breaches of relevant legislation, and 52 praedial larceny-related offences were reported officially for the period.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Pearnel Charles Jr made the disclosure on Tuesday during his contribution to the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate at Gordon House.

“Addressing praedial larceny requires a multi-faceted approach that involves the active participation of farmers, law enforcement, and the Government. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries continues to encourage and support farmers to organise into groups which not only helps in production but also makes the community unit more vigilant and protected,” he said.

Charles Jr said the training of the security forces has been expanded “to better equip them to address these crimes”.

“We understand the debilitating impact of these crimes and also note the brazen and increasingly organised nature. When we consider the many families that have suffered loss of produce and life arising from these criminal activities, we are justified in making the effort to rid Jamaica of this scourge a priority,” he added.

The agriculture minister shared that parallel to JCF operations, the Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit in his ministry conducted 13 sensitisation sessions with Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) extension officers islandwide, to increase awareness among internal stakeholders regarding the relevance of various pieces of legislation, and the implementation and usage of the ministry’s traceability systems.

Additionally, nine training sessions were conducted for JCF personnel (station, divisional, and area commanders) across all 19 geographic police divisions; 440 police personnel were trained on how to effectively investigate praedial larceny cases and prepare case files.

Fifty-eight public education initiatives were completed; 130 farmers were sensitised during a series of sessions islandwide, which included representatives from respective JCF divisional headquarters, Community Safety and Security, RADA, JAS, and public health.

Meanwhile, the ministry has adopted broad strategies to respond to praedial larceny. A five-pronged approach to provide the framework for actions against praedial larceny has also been developed. These include:

1. Compliance and enforcement

2. Strengthening legislation under the Agriculture Produce Act (2004) and Praedial Larceny Prevention Act (2009)

3. Traceability supported by the Agri-Business Information System (ABIS) and NAITS

4. Institutional arrangements

5. Public education.

“So far, we have recorded some incremental success in recent times, and will be advancing strategies to improve effectiveness to handling this plague,” Charles Jr said.