More penalties for masked criminals, as APNU+AFC recommends tighter regulation of security firms

Last Updated on Monday, 2 June 2025, 21:43 by Writer

Criminals who wear masks while committing offences would face additional fines and jail terms, according to an amendment to the Criminal Law Offences (Miscellaneous) Act.

Piloting debate on the amendment, Attorney General Anil Nandlall cited a recent “surge in a certain type of criminal activities” by persons wearing masks or other disguises. He said such acts pose a “significant threat” to public safety.

Government lawmaker, Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin, told the House that anyone who conceals his or her identity while committing an offence can now be fined or jailed. The penalties range from a fine of GY$100,000 to GY$500,000 and imprisonment for no less than one year and no more than five years.

“This Bill is both reasonable and necessary to deter criminal behaviour, enhance public safety and aid law enforcement,” Mr Nandlall said. Government, the Attorney General said, hoped that the new provision would discourage criminals from concealing their identities while committing crimes because they could face additional charges and harsher penalties.

Opposition A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) parliamentarian, Amanza Walton-Desir, in her contribution to the debate, recommended that the existing regulations governing private security firms be tightened. She said security forces were operating above the law with impunity. “I want to strongly recommend the revision and the reissuing in relation to regulating private security firms and they must contain the prohibition of face coverings by private security personnel in public spaces,” she said.

Ms Walton-Desir said private security guards must also wear visible identification and establish a public registry oversight mechanism to investigate complaints and ensure compliance with human rights standards.

Expressing concerns that unfettered growth and operations of private security firms could morph into a “parallel” security force, she noted that already masked and heavily armed security guards could be seen at several locations. “We can’t only pass laws that will affect poor people children. We got to pass laws that hold the rich and those who believe they are above the law, accountable,” she said in reference to a private security firm.