WESTERN REGION recorded significant reduction in reported crimes in the passing year relative to the high incidence recorded in 2013.
In 2014, a total of 13,803 crimes were reported in the region as against 17,830 cases in 2013, which was a reduction of 4,209.
Some crimes that recorded reduction in the region in the year under review included robbery, murder, possession of narcotic drugs, defilement, theft, defrauding by false pretences, illegal mining and abortion.
DCOP Isaac Alex Quainoo, Western regional police commander, made this known at this year’s annual West Africa Social Security Activity (WASSA) by the police in Takoradi last Friday.
It was an opportunity for personnel of the law enforcement agency to take stock of the year under review and chart the way forward.
He indicated that in 2014, the police were relentless and adopted several measures to combat crime, including increase in its presence in the communities and urban centres.
He revealed that motor accidents also recorded a reduction last year with 458 cases compared to748 recorded in 2013.
The regional police boss went further to indicate that 37 fatal accidents were recorded last year resulting in the loss of 56 lives compared with 85 recorded in 2013 with 97 deaths.
The police commander entreated the public to provide the police with clues on the hideout of criminals.
“We also need other vital information that could lead to their arrest so as to curb the crime rate in the region and the country at large,” he stressed.
The Deputy Regional Minister, Alfred Ekow Gyan, commended the police for their commitment and professionalism in maintaining law and order over the years.
He pointed out that the region has become very unique in the country because it is home to a wide range of natural resources.
The minister said it behoved the police to be responsive and professional at all times to deal with unscrupulous behaviour and help to maintain law and order with recourse to the country’s constitution.
Mr Gyan lauded the tremendous relationship between the police and other security agencies, expressing the hope that the strong bond would be sustained to win the trust of the populace.
He also praised the police for handling with tact the illegal small-scale mining also called ‘galamsey’, chieftaincy disputes and armed robberies in the region.
‘In all these, there is the need to assist our security agencies. And one way of doing so is for our people to be forthcoming with information and leaks that will assist the police on their work,’ he stressed.
The minister indicated that crime combat is a shared responsibility and that the police could not do it alone but the collaborative efforts of the entire citizenry would be needed.
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