Joint patrols a success

KAMPAR: Joint patrols between the police, government agencies and the public in 10 selected areas nationwide have proven effective in reducing the crime rate.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong said the Ops 1Malaysia programme was part of the Government’s blue ocean strategy to increase police presence on the streets.

“We selected 10 areas to conduct trial runs of the patrols, including in Kampar.

“Since January this year, the crime rate in Kampar has been reduced by 24%, proving that the patrols have been effective,” he said before officially launching the programme here yesterday.

Lee said the joint patrols included participation from government agencies under the home ministry, such as Civil Defence Department and Rela, as well as local residents and the Rukun Tetangga.

“They do not just walk around, but stop and talk with the residents to understand their problems, especially concerning crime.

“This enables the police to have direct contact with the people,” he said, adding that another 73 areas nationwide would be selected for the programme, including Bagan Serai, Parit Buntar, Lumut, Tanjung Malim, Taiping, Teluk Intan and Kerian in Perak.

He said the patrols in these new areas were targeted to begin by the end of this month.