By now quite a few people may have already been through the back-to-school hustle and bustle and are anxiously awaiting the sound of the school bell for their young ones to scurry off to the classroom. But, for those who have not been through the back-to-school rituals as yet, please bear The Weekend Star in mind.

The front-page article in that publication stated that police were warning the public to exercise great caution in their back-to-school transactions, be it shopping or any other monetary exercise. The lawmen reported that they have noticed a significant increase in crime this year as criminals are going to great lengths to rob and steal cash as the new school year draws closer.

The article related one incident where a man collected $400,000 in Clarendon and was robbed of the money in downtown Kingston where he was set to do some back-to-school shopping. There was also mention of incidents where thugs on bikes trailed shoppers from all over the Corporate Area, patiently wait on them to park their cars, then break into them and steal their cash.

This does not mean that if you do not drive a car you are any safer. After all, who is really safe these days?

However, we urge that shoppers exercise as much caution as possible to protect their hard earned cash in these last days. We already know that these thieves do not give two cents about whether our children are able to attend school or not, so that means we have to care a little bit harder.