As questions were raised about increased security, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) confirmed it had increased mobile and foot patrols in the vicinity of banking locations as people go about changing their old $100 bills.
In a release, Police Commissioner Gary Griffith said Emergency Response Task Force and Divisional Patrols are taking place across the nine policing divisions, "To provide greater levels of safety and comfort, as people go about transacting their business at commercial banks."
His disclosure followed concerns by members of the public about long lines outside banks, where customers are seeking to turn in the old bills for the new $100 notes.
The CoP said, "The TTPS is aware that criminal elements may want to target unsuspecting persons in the lines at banks," and that police officers are out in full force to safeguard members of the public, as they go about transacting their business.
In a related matter, quick work by officers of the Four Roads Police Station, Diego Martin resulted in the arrest of a 19-year-old man of La Resource Road, Laventille, minutes after her robbed a woman who was on her way to the bank.
The victim told police she was walking along the walkover of the Diego Martin highway around 11:15 am, when the man grabbed her bag which contained a quantity of cash before he fled on foot, along Cuthbert Circular.
A report was made and officers on patrol subsequently apprehended the suspect a short distance away.
The bag with the cash was also recovered from his possession.