KUCHING: The district’s overall crime index from January to July this year, showed a decrease of 28.8 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Kuching OCPD ACP Ahsmon Bajah said despite the decline, there were some categories that showed a significant increase in the same period.
“They are rape, vehicle theft as well as robberies involving 24-hour operating premises, not involving residential areas, villages or any individual.
“Rape cases in Kuching have increased by 85.7 per cent this year, vehicle theft cases went up to over 300 per cent compared to last year and robbery cases have gone up by 35 per cent,” he said after attending the Kuching police headquarters (IPD) monthly assembly today.
He pointed out that they were aware of the increase and have formed special teams to handle the cases.
Following that, he shared that the police managed to achieve a series of successes in cracking down on criminal activities.
One of them is the crippling of the vehicle theft syndicate known as ‘Wan Kurus’ Gang, which have been active in Kuching and Padawan.
Besides that, Ahsmon said the police also managed to thwart robbery activities at 24-hour business premises with the arrests of the suspects and recover all of the stolen items.
“With such criminal activities thwarted, we believe we can reduce the number of cases dramatically.
“Among the factors that contributed to the increase of crime cases is due to the transition of endemic phase where all of the restrictions have been lifted following the two-year pandemic,” he said.
He added that the pandemic period was effective in combatting crime as everyone including criminals, are not allowed to leave their homes due to COVID-19.
However, once the country enters the transition of endemic phase, all of the activities and economic sectors are now allowed to operate and the bad guys come out to ‘play’.
Ahsmon acknowledged that the police are aware of the matter and will work hard to eradicate criminal activities in the district.
