Violent crime has gone down � Minister
Gothataone Moeng | Friday March 28, 2014 15:03
Presenting his ministry’s budget proposals this week, Seretse said violent crimes recorded a significant 15.4 percent decrease in the year 2013.
Seretse however said that there has been growing sophistication of crime, which, along with the increasing need for quality police services, has been one of the challenges in the fight against crime in the country.
Communities’ reluctance towards crime prevention initiatives is also a major challenge, he said. “The slow uptake of crime prevention initiative by members of the community evidenced through receiving of stolen property thereby creating a market for such, the habouring of illegal immigrants, and falling prey to conventional con-artists, increasing of youth involvement in crime and alcohol abuse, stood out as the main impediments in the prevention of crime,” he said.
Seretse attributed the high number of recorded crimes to increased access to police services, increase in public confidence and the effectiveness of police crime detection structures.
“Most of these cases were police generated, as such demonstrating police visibility that has on the other hand, resulted in the reduction of serious, violent and intrusive crimes through the detection of minor violations,” he said.
Further, he said the BPS undertook innovative strategies to deliver effectively on their public protection mandate, particularly redirecting resources towards integrated strategies to deal with growing sophistication of serious crimes.
The minister requested a recurrent budget of over P4 billion, with P185 million going towards the police. P45 million of this will go towards the Police telecommunications project.
Meanwhile the Member of Parliament for Tswapong North Prince Maele commended the police for their work in foiling armed robberies and arresting armed robbers. However, he said there was need for the police service to allay public fears and ensure them that the police have everything under control.