Cattle rustling and motor thefts on the rise in Upper East

Cattle rustling and motor bike stealing has been reported to be taking an alarming rate in the Upper East Region.

Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister mentioned this at a meeting in Bolgatanga when he addressed Municipal, District Chief Executives and Coordinating Directors on developments in the regions.

Mr. Mark Woyongo expressed worry about the increasing spate of cattle rustling in Builsa North, South, Kassena Nankana East and West, and Garu Tempane Districts.

According to him, the Bolgatanga Municipality accounted for 30 per cent of the 2011 crime statistics in the region.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Godson Letsio, Municipal Crime Officer who confirmed this, said the 2012 statistics of motor bike thefts so far showed 100 as against 75 recorded during the same period last year.

Also, three motor bike thefts had been recorded in one week whilst the Bongo District also recorded 10 cattle thefts.

The Regional Minister said collaborative efforts were being made to strengthen border security, the spirit of regional cooperation and hoped that such inter agency strategy would help to reduce crimes.

He said security patrol and random snap checks by the security was ongoing to address the situation.**