By Daniel Namwini
Central Region Police haves reduced crime by 3.4 per cent while road accidents have increased by 74.3 per cent from January to June this year, 2019 compared to the same period last year (2018).
Recently, Central Region Acting Police Commissioner, Evalista Chisale revealed this during regional management team meeting where she addressed the officers-in-charge from police stations within the region which was held in Lilongwe.
“In 2018, the region recorded 8,513 criminal cases from the month of January to June whilst in 2019 in the same period, the region registered 8,225 cases representing 3.4 per cent reduction during the period under review,” Chisale said.
The police commissioner said the region achieved the reduction due to results-oriented- day- and- night foot or vehicle patrols which officers carried out in all crime infested areas.
She added that due to the cordial relationship between the police and the public which provides tips to police led to arrests and recovery of stolen property.
There was also timely prosecution of suspects by courts and securing of convictions boosted people’s trust in the police.
According to the police commissioner, visibility of law enforcers in all strategic places such as banks, shopping malls and car parks assisted them to reduce crime in the region.
However, she said the region registered a 74.3 per cent increase in road traffic accidents, having recorded 2,254 in 2019 compared to 1,293 in 2018 during the same period.
“Road accidents increased due to speeding of drivers under the influence of alcohol, failure to observe road traffic rules and regulations and overloading among others,” the police commissioner stated.-MANA