While political opponents of the Government and others were critical of the police road blocks, the Deputy Police Commissioner in charge of Operations said they served a very important purpose as he thanked those who have shown patience.

This, as the National Security Minister says the government cannot follow the path of one South American country's war on gangs.

The Minster says that is because "it is outrageous in the context of the very stable democratic, civilised operation" in this country.

Juhel Browne reports.