Crime: Police advocate guest identification, CCTV in Bayelsa hotels

The Police Command in Bayelsa State on Wednesday urged hoteliers to strengthen guest identification procedures and install functional CCTV cameras to prevent criminals from using their facilities as hideouts.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, made the call on Wednesday in Yenagoa at a strategic security meeting with the Association of Hoteliers and other stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism sector.

The meeting focused on measures to prevent criminals from exploiting hotels and other hospitality facilities to plan or commit crimes.

Discussions centred on proper guest identification and documentation, functional surveillance systems prompt reporting of suspicious activities and improved intelligence sharing with the police.

Mr Adewale described the hospitality industry as an important partner in the state’s security architecture, stressing the need for cooperation between hotel operators, regulatory authorities and security agencies.

He urged hotel owners and managers to adopt appropriate security measures and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities within their facilities.

The commissioner assured stakeholders of the command’s commitment to sustained engagement and stronger collaboration with the hospitality sector.

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The meeting was attended by the Director-General of the Tourism Development and Hotel Licensing Agency, Oluseyi Ayamasaowei; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Oluwatoyin Aziebi; and representatives of the Association of Hoteliers.

Other stakeholders also attended the meeting and pledged to collaborate with the police and relevant government agencies to improve security standards across the hospitality industry.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the initiative is aimed at strengthening security consciousness among hospitality operators and preventing criminal activities within hotels and other public relaxation facilities in the state.