Police would ensure reduction in armed robbery - Marfo

Accra, May 19 GNA - Dr Kofi Kesse Marfo, Deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP) In-Charge of Operations on Friday said the Police would go all out to ensure that the menace of the armed robbery in the country was reduced to a considerably level. "Until we are in full control of the security of the country our job as police officers is not complete"

Dr. Marfo was speaking at the opening of the Accra West Divisional Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service in Accra. The new Accra West Division, which comprises Kaneshie, Odorkor and Weija districts, was carved out of the former Accra West Division that had its headquarters at Dansoman.

It also accommodates major automobile companies; Abossey-Okai spare parts shops, Kaneshie market, the North and South industrial areas and the Neoplan lorry station.

Dr Marfo called on the personnel of the service to discharge their duties with professionalism and not to involve themselves in matters that would cast a slur on the image of the Police. He also warned Police personnel against collaborating with miscreants to engage in criminal activities, adding that the Police administration would deal with such people drastically. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr Douglas Akrofi Asiedu, Greater Accra Regional commander said Policing in general the world over had become very challenging because of the tremendous explosion in population growth, adding that Ghana was no exception. He called for a corresponding expansion of the scope of policing in order to contain the increased crime wave that normally came along with population increase.

ACP Akrofi Asiedu also charged the new Divisional Commander and his men to be more professional on their job, adding that the Regional Police Headquarters did not see complaints that cases were not being properly handled.

Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Fatima Fuseni, Accra West Divisional Commander said the most prevalent crimes in the area were assault, stealing and threats against people. She said the division recorded a total of 85 robbery cases between June 2005 and April 2006, out of which 69 were car and mobile phone snatching.

Chief Superintendent Fatima Fuseini called for more vehicles for patrols in the area as well as unmarked vehicles for the CID personnel to conduct surveillance on certain hot spots and criminal hideouts.