Businesspersons are being urged to report extortion attempts and the Police Service says there is a secure number they can call to do so.

During a briefing hosted by the National Security Ministry today, Police Commissioner Erla Christopher announced the formation of a task force to deal with this crime.

The team will be led by Senior Superintendent Richard Smith who assured that the number – 797-3150 – is manned by vetted officers.

According to Senior Superintendent Smith, the offence is technically called demanding money by menace, of which there were 16 reports in 2022.

2023 saw 162 reports, the majority of which were committed by a couple.

So far for 2024, there have been 19 reports.