Police urges Upper West to be security conscious

Dorimon (UWR), Sept. 20, GNA - Mr George Anko-Bil, Upper West Regional Police Commander has appealed to Communities in the region to be security conscious and establish neighbourhood watch committees to reduce the threat posed by armed robbers and other criminals.

He said there could be no development within communities of fear and insecurity and regretted that in some communities, the people refused to report criminals to the security agencies, adding: "such unpatriotic behaviour retards progress and development of the nation." Mr Anko-Bil made the appeal at a meeting with the chiefs and people of the Wa West District at Dorimon.

The people initiated the meeting to seek assistance from the police to establish a neighbourhood watch committee to fight the increased criminal activities in the area.

Mr Anko-Bil asked them to forge closer links with the police under the concept of community policing, in order to protect themselves, their property and reduce the fear of crime.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Andrews Sambah, Wa Municipal Police Commander, said the community neighbourhood watch committee was purely a voluntary organisation therefore, the members should not expect financial rewards.

He advised the people to hand over suspects arrested to the police for the necessary action but not subject them to any form of punishment. Naa Sohamininye Danaa Gore the second, Paramount Chief of the Dorimon Traditional Area, commended the Upper West Regional Police Commander for the prompt respond to their call and pledged the commitment of the people to promote and maintain peace and order in the area.

He said in the past, there was a vibrant neighbourhood watch committee established in the area but the members relaxed in their operations when there was peace and order only for the menace of criminals to resurface.