Police Commissioner Gary Griffith has responded to the concerns of Las Cuevas residents, saying the community has been flooded with criminal activity for years and that he was surprised by their reaction because the police were doing their job.
Griffith said today's exercise was necessary to cleanse the area and added that if anyone was inconvenienced, it was unfortunate.
He said this and similar exercises in the future should be expected.
Griffith has asked citizens to expose criminals in their community rather than be upset when the police do what is required.