KUALA TERENGGANU: The involvement of education institution liaison police officers has managed to check delinquency and crime among pupils in the state, said Terengganu’s top cop.
This has also helped Terengganu become the second safest place to live in after Malacca, said state police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Rosli Abdul Rahman.
He said that regular counselling conducted by the liaison officers with students of primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities had brought about a positive impact with a reduced crime rate.
“Among the issues we managed to tackle among students are drug addiction, ‘mat rempit’ issues, motorcycle thefts and truancy.
“This is made possible with dialogues, talks and exhibitions where we create awareness and explain the effects and punishment for being involved in crime,” he said.
For last year, police detained 20 students, aged 14 to 20 years, for drug activities, as compared with 71 students the previous year.
Rosli said the crime index showed a 17 per cent reduction in serious and property crimes for last year, as compared with a 11 per cent reduction for 2014, enabling Terengganu to be the second safest state after Malacca.
“We have to thank this community initiative and the frequent patrols carried out by our personnel and volunteers.
“For instance, we have managed to curb motorcycle thefts which used to account for half of the state’s crime rate.
“Of course, vehicle owners are partly to blame for not securing their machines at home, surau and mosques,” said Rosli, adding that some of the thieves were highly skilled technically.