Minister of Interior
By Landing Ceesay
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Seyaka Sonko has told the Parliament that the country’s crime rate has “slightly” reduced by about 15% in the first and second quarters of 2021 and 2022.
“The crime rate in this country has witnessed a slight decrease of about 15% in the number of cases reported in the first and second quarters of 2021 and 2022, as per our quarterly crime report. The police are doing their utmost best to combat the crime rate in this country despite the resource constraints. In respect to the above, the police have intensified patrols in all regions,” he told parliamentarians.
The Interior Minister informed the lawmakers that in August this year, the police have revived the “Operation Zero Crime” in other to tackle the surge in “breakings and robberies” in the West Coast Region.
He said it is important to note that the said operation was successful as a result of robust patrols conducted in the region.
Sonko said the success of the operation could be attributed to the none receiving of reports of crimes such as breakings and robberies, in the course of the operation.
“May I further inform this August Assembly that the Police has begun establishing PIU bases in certain strategic areas across the country all geared towards combating crimes in the country,” he said.
The Interior Minister told the House that other efforts the police undertake are youth engagement, through community sensitisation for crime prevention.
“This entails a community engagement policy strategy targeting schools and communities in strategic areas,” he said.
Minister Sonko made these remarks on Wednesday during an oral question and answer session at Parliament on the Gambia’s crime rate.