The Guyana Police Force has seized four siren devices valued at more than $2 million from vehicles over the past seven days as authorities intensify efforts to clamp down on the unauthorised use of emergency equipment.

Speaking on the Starting Point podcast, Traffic Chief Mahindra Singh said the devices were removed from privately-owned vehicles.

“In the past seven days, I have had four pieces of the equipment valued more than $2 million. I've taken them off vehicles ranging from a contractor, a private security company, a Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit staff, and another person,” the Traffic Chief said

Singh noted that the seized equipment has been lodged as evidence and the owners are expected to face charges.

He explained that police are using surveillance technology, as well as other mechanisms to identify illegal holders of the emergency equipment.

He said, “We have utilised the technology that is to say the Safe City, Safe Country cameras and the Safe Road Intelligence System cameras where vehicles that we see with the lights naturally we have the tendency to believe that they have this siren through observation by members of the public through the Road Watch application.”

The Traffic Chief stressed that the use of sirens on private vehicles is contrary to the law.

He said that vehicles legally permitted to use siren include fire service vehicle, the police vehicle, and the ambulance which are deemed the emergency vehicles.