Public Relations Officer for the Ashanti Regional Police command, ASP Godwin Ahianyo has disclosed that patrolling activities by the service has helped reduce crime rate in the Ashanti Region.
Speaking on the general security in the region, he said that the activity by the team has seen to the reduction in the rate of robbery and various crimes especially at night.
“The police patrol teams coordinate their efforts to bring the crime rate to an end. They go round the community to ward off the criminals and in the night their presence alone is also helping.”
ASP Ahianyo
Mr. Ahianyo posited that crime rate in the region has been low as compared to last year. He added that compared to the first quarter of 2020 the region has not recorded much crimes.
“You could see that although we have cases recorded in the region,;it isn’t as high as that of last year first quarter statistics. But the general public can attest to the fact that prior to the elections we had recorded some cases such as day light robberies where people attack people at their work places and all.”
ASP Ahianyo
Commenting on the targeted attacks on prominent people in the country, Mr. Ahianyo stated that the region has not recently had such cases of murder occurring but the service is however being cautious.
“This is the new trend or something that is recorded. So, we are not going to relent and we are going to make sure that we get to the perpetrators of this issue. We don’t know who is going to be the next target. The earlier we sit and up our game, the better.”
ASP Ahianyo
ASP Ahianyo on recent A/R killing
Mr. Ahianyo’s comment was also in relation to the recent killing of one Benedicta Sarpong in the Ashanti Region by robbers which happened around 12:30am on Monday.
Mr. Ahianyo revealed that the police command has began investigation into that attack. Unfortunately, he said the service has not been able to identify the motive behind the attacks but they are not ruling out contract killing.
“Because if it had been robbery, perhaps they would have taken money but this incident happened and then they took off. We have initiated investigations and I am sure by the grace of God, we will apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime.”
ASP Ahianyo
Touching on domestic violence issues in the Ashanti Region,;he also revealed that his outfit has not recorded any violent acts which has resulted in murders recently.
Speaking on claims that COVID-19 which has caused stress contributes to domestic violence activities,;he cautioned that such criminal acts should not be linked to the virus if proper research has not been done.
“We have to be cautious because we will link it and it will be something that is not supposed to be so.”
ASP Ahianyo
He further called on the forensic expert in the country to investigate and;confirm if truly some of these situations accounts for some of these cases.
IGP calls on banks to provide fortified armored vehicles
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh,;has given commercial banks by the end of June 2021;to provide fortified armored vehicles for carting currencies or the police will withdraw its officers from escort duties.
In a statement, the IGP said the provision of fortified armored vans has been agreed with the Association of Bankers way back.
IGP Oppong-Boanuh’s call follows an attack on a bullion van at Adedenkpo, a suburb of James Town in Accra on Monday leaving a police guard and a trader dead.
A statement issued by the Police Service said the IGP has directed the Director-General of the Police CID to take over investigation into the attack.
