Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles says the state of emergency (SoE) has become for far too many, not a shield against crime, but “a weapon against citizens”.

She made the comment on Thursday while delivering the feature address at the Diego Martin Borough Corporation’s 3rd annual Civic Awards ceremony at the Diego Martin South Community Centre.

Beckles said: “I have heard directly, and some of you in this very room from Diego Martin have lived it, how preventative detention orders (PDOs), powers meant to be used with the gravest restraint against genuine threats, have instead been turned upon ordinary citizens.