The figure represented an increase of 42.9 per cent while rape cases also increased from thirty-eight in 2015 to fifty-six in 2016. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) David Nenyi Ampiah-Bennin, the Regional Police Commander, made this known at their 2017 West African Security Service Association (WASSA) on Friday.

The occasion, which was used for stock taking and interactions, was attended by the members of the various divisions of the Police Service such as the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit, the Motor Transport and Traffic Department, as well as commanders of allied security agencies. DCOP Ampiah- Bennin said murder cases recorded during the same period reduced to 39 as against 49 in the previous year and robbery cases also reduced from 156 to 79.

Possessing narcotic drug cases dropped from 71 in 2015 to thirty-eight and stealing cases reduced from 4,024 to 3,703. In all, he said, 18,679 cases were reported in 2016 as against 18,676 in the previous year. DCOP Ampiah-Bennin said the Police would continue to work assiduously without any fear or favour to ensure that criminal activities is reduced in the Region. He, however, said fighting crime and maintaining law and order was a shared responsibility and called for effective public engagement and cooperation from stakeholders to achieve the goal.

DCOP Ampiah-Bennin said two personnel were dismissed for engaging in criminal activities and acting unprofessionally. He said six others also had their ranks reduced, another five were severely reprimanded for indiscipline while six others were given various disciplinary actions during the same period.

DCOP Ampiah-Bennin cautioned the officers to desist from engaging in unprofessional conduct as the Command would not hesitate to institute disciplinary charges against any officer who flouted the rules and regulations of the Service.

The Regional police Commander commended his officers for their hard work, especially during the general election and urged them to be professional and work harder.

Mr Kwamena Duncan, the Central Regional Minister, commended the Police for helping to reduce the crime rate and also maintaining peace in the region.

He urged the Police and its allied security agencies to form friendly partnerships in their bid to combat crime and securing the Region.

He also called on them sustain the ‘Police visibility and accessibility patrol programme’, especially on the Kasoa- Cape Coast high way to check over-speeding and reckless driving which has accounted for many of the recent road accidents on that stretch of road.

Obrempong Nyanful Krampah XI, President of the Central Region House of Chiefs and Omanhen of Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area, who presided over the ceremony praised the Police for the professionalism exhibited during the 2016 general elections.