Low crime rate in B/A

STORY: FROM MICHAEL SARPONG MFUM, SUNYANI

The Brong-Ahafo region had a decline in the number of crime cases that occurred in the region from 16,197 in 2008 compared to 15,787 in 2009.

Brong Ahafo Regional Crime Officer, Superintendent Charles Domanban, attributed the drop in crime cases to intense police patrols on the major highways in the region and effective security checks on vehicles.

According to him, 2,131 cases were arraigned before court for prosecution over the period as against 2,855 cases in 2008.
He added that 1,228 cases are still awaiting trial while 796 cases resulted in conviction in the last twelve months.

TODAY also gathered that 11,402 cases are still under investigations. Superintendent Domanban revealed that stealing which was on top of the recorded cases in the year under review with 4,455 cases decreased slightly from 4,743 in the previous year.
There were 29 rape cases, three attempted rape, 94 defilements, three child stealing and 968 fraud cases. The regional crime command also recorded 11 instances where false cheques were issued and seven attempted suicide cases.

The police recorded only four smuggling cases at the various border posts in the region for the whole 2009. Touching on some other cases, Supt. Domanban revealed that there were six attempted murders, 34 murders, 15 abortions and a single attempted abortion case in the last twelve months.

He noted that despite the indiscriminating cutting of trees in the region, only 49 illegal felling of timber cases were recorded.
The crime officer also disclosed that the police were able to arrest a number of drug dealers, especially marijuana in 42 different operations last year.