A total of 107 armed robberies were recorded in the Ashanti Region from February to date this year, Mr George Asiamah, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, announced in Kumasi at the week-end.

He said March peaked the armed robberies in the region, recording as many as 31 cases while February recorded 28 cases with the figure dropping sharply to five cases in April and only two recorded cases in July.

Mr Asiamah, who made this disclosure at a Police WASSA (get-together) organised by the Ashanti Regional Police Administration for police personnel in the region, attributed the drastic reduction to the combined efforts of the police and military.

He said the success was not without casualties as five armed robbers and a policeman were shot dead.

The Regional Police Commander also attributed the success of the joint police and military operations to the support by the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC).

He said the Timber Task force comprising personnel of the Forestry Service, the police and military, had made tremendous impact and that they had seized large quantities of illegal sawn timber as well as chain saws.

Mr Asiamah, however, warned that his administration would not shield any police or military personnel who would be caught aiding and abetting illegal chainsaw operators.

He said from January to June this year, the police arrested 100 narcotic dealers during swoops while motor traffic accidents increased by 20 percent and attributed this to indiscipline on the roads.

Mr S.K. Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, reminded them that the war on armed robbers was still on and they must not relax.

He stressed the need for discipline in the police service and said they could only succeed in combating crime if they were disciplined and united and also appealed to them to support neighbourhood watch committees.

"You should see these watch committees as allies in the fight against armed robbery and other crimes in the society."

Mr Boafo assured the police of government's avowed aim to equip the service and supply them with the necessary logistics and communication gadgets to facilitate their work.

He asked them not to hesitate to point out the bad nuts within their midst whose activities were likely to tarnish the good image the police administration wanted to build.