Members of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) in St Thomas have been commended by police Commissioner Owen Ellington for their sustained effort in tackling praedial larceny.

Speaking in last week's force orders, the police commissioner said that since the ISCF started their anti-praedial larceny drive last year, 14 persons have been arrested and charged.

Thirteen of those persons have already answered to charges of possession of agricultural produce without a receipt in the Yallahs Resident Magistrate's Court and fined.

The ISCF members have also charged one person for praedial larceny and that person is scheduled to face the court later this month.

According to the commissioner: "I must emphasise the need for a concerted effort by all officers to reduce the levels of praedial larceny in all police divisions as part of the strategy of protecting farmers and the food security of the nation. Praedial larceny poses a serious threat to the livelihood of farmers and serves as a disincentive for investment in agricultural activities".

Commissioner Ellington further said that praedial larceny has evolved from petty theft to a very organised activity where thieves now use trucks and possess high-powered weapons to carry out their acts.

"It has been reported that direct losses of up to $5 billion per annum attributed to praedial larceny are suffered by farmers. Given that the value of the agricultural sector for 2007 was estimated at $79.7 billion, these losses represent approximately 6 per cent of the total gross output of the sector," Ellington said.