Honduras launches anti-crime patrols

Four thousand troops in Honduras have begun joint patrols with police in the country's main cities and towns in an attempt to tackle a rise in violent crime.

The security minister, Guatama Fonseca, told the BBC the presence of the troops was intended to guarantee the police force did an effective and honest job.

Mr Fonseca said the joint patrols would work night and day to stop the crime wave, which he said was caused by high unemployment.

Correspondents say that in recent years, robberies, assaults and kidnappings have become commonplace in Honduras, and that in a number of high-profile cases, police officers have been directly implicated.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service