Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has said crime remains unabated and has reached crisis proportions.

In a media release yesterday, Rowley said: "Notwithstanding the recent propaganda and self-praising efforts of the Government, which deliberately attempted to mislead the population that the crime situation in the country has changed significantly for the better, it is clear that violent criminal activity proceeds unabated and has reached crisis proportion in recent days.

"In the face of the recent frightening upsurge in murders, it is wholly unsatisfactory for the major response of the hapless Minister of National Security to be his plaintive cry of, 'Oh gosh, another one'. What is even more alarming is Government's ongoing dismantling and removal of the police posts in some known hot-spot areas."

Rowley said the demonstrated inability of the Government to curb the spate of lawlessness which now threatens to overwhelm the country proves that the anticipated new initiatives to eliminate the violent crime wave have not been forthcoming.

He said the Government has no idea and no plan, and the promise of the UNC (United National Congress) and its coat-tailers to immediately reduce crime remains an illusion.

"The Opposition calls on the Government to stop the political grandstanding and public relations gimmickry and proceed to implement the promised new and effective crime-fighting initiatives in order to provide citizens with a sense of safety and security in all neighbourhoods," Rowley added.