MINISTER of National Security Dwight Nelson says that attempts to eradicate praedial larceny cannot succeed without greater public support.

What we no longer see are desperate individuals trying to satisfy themselves with a simple act what we are now seeing are expert farmers and butchers who drive in vehicles and are well equipped to facilitate their nefarious activities," said Nelson at the  launch of the the Praedial Larceny Prevention Programme, hosted at the Hilton Hotel in Kingston today.

He said those engaging in praedial larceny are now highly sophisticated and that their actions are causing despair for the victims.

When I look at the news reports of the victims of praedial larceny, men and women who have invested their savings, who have mortgaged their properties I am frightened.

Minister Nelson says the army and the police will be engaged to apprehend the criminals, adding that video surveillance systems have been acquired as part of the efforts to stamp out the practice.

Meantime Lieutenant Paul Dunn has been appointed as Praedial Larceny Coordinator, to be assisted by other personnel from the ministry.

I commit the input of my ministry today to be an active partner in the fight to help our farmers, he said.

The Minister says the Crime Stop Programme has also been involved and sensitisation programmes will be implemented to assist the security forces and the judiciary to recognize the severity of the challenge being faced by farmers.

The Praedial Larceny Prevention Programme is the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in collaboration with the Ministries of National Security and Health.

The programme is intended to strengthen legislation, public education and establish tracking` systems.