TTHC host forum on National Security

The Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner, London, held a forum on National Security in Trinidad and Tobago for nationals residing in the United Kingdom on Monday night (September 17th) at the Conference Room of the High Commission.

The forum, which was held in conjunction with the Trinidad and Tobago Professionals Network in the UK, attracted a large audience that included nationals who are currently serving in the legal fraternity in London, attorneys, social workers and other professionals from the security arena.

Mr. Edmund Dillon, Trinidad and Tobago’s Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Colonel Albert Griffith of the Anti Security Crime Unit, Mr. Andy Balbosa also from the Unit, Lt. Colonel Sharon Alfonso, Military Attaché at the High Commission and Mr. Ashton Ford Attaché at the High Commission, attended the forum.

Lt. Colonel Griffith gave an overview of the work undertaken by the Anti Crime Unit in Trinidad and Tobago, pointing out that the government was keen to improve its criminal justice system and also systems tackling serious and organized crime in the country.

He said that the Government had introduced a host of policies that were being implemented which had resulted in the decline in homicide and kidnapping. Lt. Col. Griffith noted that Trinidad and Tobago was just seven miles from South America and was seen as a major transshipment point for the international drug trade.

In response to questions from the audience concerning the young people, Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Dillon referred to several projects spearheaded by the Defence Force in addition to the 19 other youth development programmes carried out by the Government.

This is the second forum organized by the High Commission and the TTPNUK on matters of national interest, the first being the Health Sector forum which took place in November, 2006.