Acting Commissioner of Police, Erla Christopher, says the Police Service is not daunted by the recent spate of murders in this country.
Eleven killings were recorded over this past weekend.
In a media release issued late on Sunday night, Ag CoP Christopher said:
"The weekend has indeed been an unwelcomed one. However, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) continues to work assiduously to investigate the recent murders, pursuing several strong leads.”
She said as it relates to the Central Division murders, early indicators suggest there are connecting features, which implies that the same group of individuals are responsible for these acts.
"Our investigators are pursuing further leads," she assured.
The Top Cop said with respect to the triple murders in Carapo, gang activities in that area continue to engage police attention and they are pursuing certain leads.
She added that in the North-Eastern Division, which includes Morvant and Blanchisseuse, police information indicates these murders were as a result of disputes between community members.
"Our investigators are working feverishly on the ground to bring the perpetrators to justice," she said.
With respect to the burnt body in the vehicle at Claxton Bay, the deceased remains unidentified. However, preliminary investigations revealed that the burnt-out vehicle had been reported stolen earlier this month, from the Eastern Division.
Finally, investigators are currently working with relatives to ascertain a possible motive for the report of homicide in the Sangre Grande district, where the victim was a businessman.
Ag CoP Christopher said the prevalence of illegal guns “in our communities is a central focus of the Service”, and noted she is directing strategies targeting the influx of firearms.
“We are not daunted by the unfortunate and disturbing spate of violence over this weekend,” she asserted. “We will continue to intensify our crackdown on gangs to break the hold of the deadly gang culture and criminality that leaves a trail of death and despair within our communities.”
The Acting Police Commissioner added:
“What we may be witnessing is the storm before the calm, as the TTPS will continue to use its resources to supress these gangs and other criminal activities. We will not stop applying pressure on those who are determined to disrupt and strike fear in the lives of all law-abiding citizens. We will keep up the fight. God willing, we will succeed."