KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s crime index recorded a 4.6 per cent increase between January and April this year due to an increase in property crimes.
Federal police Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said a total of 38,877 crimes involving properties were recorded in the first quarter of the year.
"Roughly, it means that about 58 per cent of property crimes were committed.
"Since the start of the year, 12,216 motorcycle thefts, 6,662 house break ins and 3,656 cases involving cars, were recorded" he said.
Acryl said the number of car and motorcycle thefts had gone down over the last three years, however, the number of home burglaries and snatch theft has increased.
The rising number of property crimes relate closely to the criminals' ability to pick locks and outsmart the victims' security systems, he said.
Acryl was speaking to reporters after launching the 7th Malaysian Security Crime Prevention Campaign and Exhibition at a shopping mall in Cheras here today.
"This type of exhibition is important to raise awareness among the public as one of the safety element are the locks.
"By attending the exhibition, they are exposed to new ways of maximising their security capabilities," he said.
Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said by investing in a high quality security system, it could help in reducing the crime rate.
Also present during the launch was Master Locksmiths Association advisor Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat.