Police Beef Up Security in Accra

It is very interesting to see police patrol teams all over the streets of Accra, monitoring the security of the citizens, especially against snatchers and armed robbers in our society.

The police teams have taken back the challenge to fight back, and rid our communities of the scourge of criminals, especially armed robbers.

At about 7:00 p.m. every evening, these patrol teams spread out their men at most intersections, neighbourhood streets and areas without streetlights.

Some also mounted check points, to check and search through vehicles for dangerous weapons and to prevent the committing of crimes. The team also do not only check and search drivers and their vehicles, but also apprehend motor cyclists who uses ride at night without helmets, and registration documents. They do this because most snatchers of bags and cell phones commit these crimes using motorbikes, which facilitate their easy escape.

Normally with these cyclists, when they are caught, the police demand the license of the cycle and the rider as well, and if possible give tangible reasons why they are riding at that time of the night.

There was an incident quite recently near the race course in Accra, when five persons attempted to rob a house, and upon realising that the police were in the neighbourhood attempted to escape, in the process exchanging gunfire with the police, which ended with one of them being killed by the police, and the others fleeing.

Residents told the Accra file that particular weekend was the first time the police had patrolled that street.

Some also said for that the area was a no-go place for pedestrians after 8:00 p.m.

"The snatchers will just attack you and take whatever you have on you. If you happen to be a female, and you are unfortunate, you would be raped too."

The residents further said as the police patrol team had extended their patrols there they felt safer than ever before.