Criminal elements are continuing in their unscrupulous efforts to plague the country with crime and violence.

An article in Tuesday's STAR summarised that gunmen in Canterbury, St James actually planned an ambush for the security forces.

On Sunday, thugs clashed with security forces for at least 30 minutes following the seizure of illegal guns and the fatal shooting of one of a group of gunmen earlier that day.

According to the article, gunmen and their associates telephoned the police begging for help and reporting that persons including a baby had been shot.

Such reports are truly disheartening and scary to say the least.

If thugs can plan to take on the security forces, then the safety of the nation, as a whole, is truly a cause for major concern.

It is no secret that those with duties to protect our streets are already having a difficult time, but for criminals to show this level of disrespect towards them or their presence only goes to show the level of lawlessness which we have reached.

If the security forces can be subjected to such attacks, what can regular citizens expect?

Sad to say, but the fight against crime now seems to be one which will never be won unless some drastic changes occur.

Truth be told, these changes may take a while to come but there has to be a starting point, one which many have had in their minds for years now but can never seem to see it coming.

How much longer shall we wait?