Sibu crime down as police smash criminal groups
SIBU: Sibu police have successfully smashed various crime groups involved in motorcycle theft, snatch theft, possession of air guns, heavy machinery theft, scams and others this year.
Speaking to reporters during the Police Fun Ride at Sibu Town Square on Sunday night, district police chief ACP Saiful Bahri said this had helped to reduce crimes and maintain the peaceful order of Sibu.
“We shall continue to be committed, and we call on members of the public to work with us. If there is information relating to crimes, inform us,” he said.
Elaborating further, Saiful said they had rounded up members of a few syndicates involved in motorcycle theft and snatch theft.
“We have also arrested members of two groups for possessing air guns. We believe these members, aged between 27 and 35, had the intention of using these weapons for crimes.”
He also said they busted another group with members aged as young as 19 for heavy machinery theft.
Meanwhile, the police chief was disappointed that despite constant reminders by the police, members of the public continue to fall victim to scams.
He said most victims were welleducated women, and included civil servants as well as a manager.
“There is even a jobless man being cheated. These con people are all strangers to the victims. You do not know them. Why do you believe in them and give them money?”
On crime prevention, Saiful said his officers have been regularly sent to primary and secondary schools to talk and interact with students.
“We believe crime prevention education must begin early in a person. For each school, there are at least a few police officers.”
He said they even had seven police liaison officers in University College of Technology Sarawak ( UCTS).
“We are happy because this commitment has resulted in no drug-related cases in schools this year. There were two suspected cases last year.”
On rapes, he said the police had received seven reports this year, most of which involved young victims.
“One victim is only 11-yearsold. There are some who are aged 15 years and below. Some cases involve courting teenage couples,” he said, while adding that the police were investigating all of these cases and that a few of the suspects had already been prosecuted.