The Police Commander for Central Region, DCOP Paul Awini, has stated the commitment of the police administration towards reducing crime in the region to appreciable limit, and appealed to the public to support the move.
He explained that, the police had put in place proactive structures by way of preventive measures, which he noted, was currently being implemented to ensure that perpetrators of criminal activities were arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He stated that the police was working closely with the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and other security agencies in the fight against crime in the region.
DCOP Awini said these at the annual West African Security Services Association (WASSA) get-together at the Central Regional Police headquarters in Cape Coast.
He said that the region experienced some highway robbery last year, but was quick to add that the introduction of snap checks on the road had eliminated the menace of highway robbery in the region.
“Since we introduced the snap checks on the Cape Coast-Accra highway, we have not experienced any form of robbery on that stretch of the road,” he noted.
He said the police had introduced motorcycle patrol at Kasoa, due to its crime prone nature, adding that the police would intensify efforts that would ensure that residents live in an atmosphere of peace.
The police, he said, would continue with swoops at identified criminal hideout, and said, “We will make criminal activities unattractive to those who will want to engage in criminal activities.”
DCOP Awini said the police would continue with its surveillance and intelligent gathering, regular monitoring, supervision, evaluation as well as the establishment of new police post to bring policing to the doorstep of communities.
He said last year the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly and the Assin South District Assembly provided the police with new police stations for two communities.
He stated that gender-based violence and human trafficking cases were the most reported cases for the year 2018, saying that, the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) and the Anti-human Trafficking Unit carried out a number of outreach programmes to educate people on their personal security.
The Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan, in his address, commended police personnel for their role in promoting peace and security in the region and the nation in general.
He reiterated government’s commitment in resourcing the police administration for personnel to work effectively, and noted that, in recognition of the need to promote the welfare of police personnel, the government had increased the peace-keeping allowance from $30 to $35.
FROM DAVID O. YARBOI-TETTEH, CAPE COAST
