Fighting crime is shared responsibility — IGP
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Alhassan, has reminded members of the public that the fight against crime is a shared responsibility between the security agencies and the public.
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He noted that most crimes committed were visible to the public and said if members of the public who witnessed such crimes passed on the information to the police, the security agencies would deal with them.
Mr Alhassan was speaking during separate courtesy calls on the deputy Volta Regional Minister, Mr Francis Ganyaglo, and the Awafiaga (warlord) of Asogli, Togbe Adzi Lakle Howusu XII, as part of a working visit to Ho yesterday.
The IGP, who was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) in-charge of Public Affairs, Reverend David Ampah-Benin, was in the region following recent threats by the Asogli warriors to take over security operations in the region.
That, they claimed, was because of the seeming inaction of the police in the face of the rising spate of crime in the town.
Background
Last week, the chiefs of the Asogli State in Ho threatened to deploy what they called ‘Asogli Warriors’ to the streets to take charge of security in the regional capital.
That followed daily reports of incidents of robbery in the municipality, which increased during the Christmas festivities and after.
The crimes included break-ins and muggings on streets and alleys.
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The Awadada of the Asogli State, Togbe Howusu XII, at a press briefing, chastised the police in Ho for concentrating on check points outside Ho at night.
He said it appeared the police was not interested in providing the required security for the people and appealed to the IGP to help address the situation.
Appeal
Mr Alhassan appealed to the public and other stakeholders to collaborate with the police to find lasting solutions to the crime in the area.
He said the police was aware of the expectations of the public and it behoved the service to provide the appropriate response anytime sections of the public expressed a sense of insecurity.
Mr Alhassan hinted that the police was to introduce motorbike patrols and appealed for support in that direction.
Expanding municipality
In his brief, Mr Ganyaglo said the Ho municipality was sprawling and, therefore, needed more police stations and posts.
He called for teamwork between the police and the public towards the improvement of security in the municipality.
For his part, Togbe Howusu XII said he was highly honoured by the visit of the IGP.
He said a meeting had already been held with the regional security council to devise strategies for a common approach towards crime.
Rev. Ampah-Benin, for his part, asked the people to feel free to approach the police and share their problems with them.
The Volta Region Police commander, DCOP Peterkin Yentumi Gyinae, said police visibility and operations in Ho had been enhanced and that police services were being provided from eight strategic points.