Owners of northern tourism establishments express concerns over safety and security in their region |24 March 2018

The meeting yesterday between the police and tourism establishment owners in the northern region

Police regional commanders of the Beau Vallon district and northern region and representatives from the department of tourism, yesterday met owners of tourism establishments located in the northern region.

The meeting, held at the Beau Vallon community centre, gave an opportunity to the tourism establishment owners to voice out tourist-related incidents and offences and also discussed  crime statistics regarding visitors.

The owners also got the chance to express their concerns to the police and tourism officials with regard to safety and security in their region.

The northern region  areas for policing cover Bel Ombre, Beau Bel, Fishermen’s Cove Estate,  Mount Simpson, Dan Bernard, Anse Major, Beau Vallon, Pascal Village, Le Niole, Dan Gala, Nouvelle Vallée, Crève Coeur, La Batie, Mare Anglaise, Panorama up to Glacis Sorento, Glacis, La Gogue, L’Ilot, Machabée up to Carana.

These areas is where most tourism establishments are based and therefore it’s a lot of work for the police to ensure security and safety for all.

The Police Commander for Beau Vallon, Jeffrey Jean-Baptiste, and regional commander of the north region, Jacques Valentin, represented the police and Philomena Hollanda represented the department of tourism.

Police Commander Jean-Baptiste gave an overview of crimes committed in Beau Vallon and the region for last year and the number of cases sent to court which have been resolved or remain unsolved.

This comprised statistics stating the number of burglaries, theft, crimes against tourists, break-ins and the role of the police in combating these issues.

Other concerns raised ranged from break-ins , disturbance caused by stray dogs which resulted in a tourist being bitten on the beach, the risk of tourists being asked to wait by the roadside for a taxi and motor cycles entering the Beau Vallon beachside promenade ignoring signs that this is an unauthorised traffic road.

The shortage of the police workforce, some people committing offences and still walking free, unlicensed vendors selling local produce or offering excursions to tourists, cleaning only part of Beau Vallon beach, fishermen leaving dead fish on the beach after casting their fishing nets and street lights on Mount Simpson road were other issues raised.

“We are here to listen to your concerns regarding theft and crimes and for us to find solutions on how to tackle these related incidences and offences,” Mr Jean-Baptiste said.

He added that the police cannot work alone and need other partners from the community to be involved like the tourism department and other agencies,” he said

Ms Hollanda explained how the tourism department is dealing with the various issues raised and the rules and regulations regarding them.

She also explained what agencies are responsible for the various issues raised and gave her assurances that her department will later take up the issues forward and discuss with the operators of the northern region tourism establishments.

“As for stray dogs, we are waiting for the Dog Control Act to be approved as this has been proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. With the coming into force of such an act it will be much more easier for all concerned, including the police, to tackle the situation,” she added.

The tourism department has received lots of complaints as many people do not agree with the current ways the stray dogs issue is being handled.

As for beach cleaning, Ms Hollanda informed them she will pass on their concerns to the Land Waste Management Agency and the street lighting issue to the Seychelles Land Transport Authority (SLTA).

Unlicensed operators and road-side vendors will also be referred to the Seychelles Licensing Authority.

The outcome of all the issues raised will be brought to the attention of the agencies concerned.

This meeting was the first in a series of regional meetings planned by the police and the tourism department.