Police record 26% increase in illicit drugs cases while overall crime rate in July reduces by 15%

There was an increase of 26 percent in the number of illicit drug cases and a 75 percent detection rate despite the 15 percent decrease in overall crime rate in July compared to the same period last year

Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew says serious crimes were reduced by 22 percent, crimes against women reduced by 24 percent and crimes against children reduced by 19 percent.

He says the operational posture adopted throughout the five policing Divisions led to a reduction in the overall crime.

Chew further says they are appreciative of the fact that the issue of illicit drugs is being discussed beyond policing circles; at the government, civil society, religious and various stakeholder levels, resulting in the increased sharing of information and the high number of raids and successful arrests.

He says the Northern, Eastern, Western and Central Divisions recorded increases in the number of drug cases registered, as the focus in July has been on the users, suppliers and cultivators.

The Acting Commissioner has also welcomed the inclusion of the topic of the illicit drug trade in various religious conferences, meetings and seminars as the war on drugs cannot be fought by the Police alone but requires a national holistic effort.

Chew has also raised concerns about the lack of trust in policing when it comes to lodging reports and has challenged his senior Command Group to work on addressing it.

He says there is still the element of the lack of faith and trust in policing processes, which stems from the failure to comply with the basics of policing.