She spoke with reporters at her private residence in south Trinidad Sunday.
Persad-Bissessar made it clear that the initiative is part of a more comprehensive plan to attack crime. She also noted that in one week crime has dropped substantially.
She said there are other measures in place that will go into effect later aimed at dealing with criminals who may be thinking of returning, or re-starting their criminal enterprises.
"We will reveal those to you in due course. I don't think it may be prudent at this time for us to share with you all of our strategies, in the interests of national security," she said.
Persad-Bissessar also praised the work of the protective services and also expressed appreciation to citizens for their patience. She said a team of cabinet ministers is working on community programmes.
"Whilst we are doing these lockdown activities, in terms of flushing out the criminals and getting them off the streets, we are also looking to community outreach programmes, in addition to those already in place through the Ministry of National Security and other ministries," she said.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that the nightly curfew is affecting businesses.
"We will certainly give consideration to that in the fullness of time with the National Security Council and should the intelligence that we have permit, we can so do.
"Today I cannot say to you that that is a decision that we have taken. It is a matter, as all matters, that will be taken into consideration as we go forward in the days to come," she said.
The Prime Minister also said there is no need to extend the curfew zones at this time into the southern areas.
"I do not have any intelligence and unless there is such intelligence that the area is under serious threat as other areas and that we should extend the curfew into those areas. Should intelligence be forthcoming otherwise, certainly we will discuss it at the National Security Council level and take appropriate action," she said.
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