Deputy Central Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Adu Arim, has disclosed that his outfit recorded a total of 18,679 criminal cases in 2014.

According to him, the figure showed an increase of three cases as against the 18,676 cases recorded in 2013.

He however disclosed that that murder robbery and possessing of narcotic drug cases reduced with murder recording 39 cases this year as against 49 in 2013, robbery from 156 to 79 and possessing of narcotic from 96 to 71.

The deputy commander made this known to the media in Cape Coast last week Friday during the celebration of the West African Security Services Association (WASSA) at the regional police command.

ACP Arim pointed out that defilement as well as rape cases also shot up with defilement cases recorded in 2014 increasing from 191 to 273 while rape also increased from 38 to 56.

He added that the region also recorded1,037 road accidents in 2014 as against 1,162 in 2013 with fatal crashes reducing from177 in 2013 to 134 in 2014 with the number of deaths also reducing from 287 to 206.

He stated that galamsey operations in notable areas such as Ayanfuri, Dunkwa-On-Offin, Twifo Praso and Assin Fosu have been drastically reduced, adding that his outfit will continue to monitor the situation and take action when the need arises.

He bemoaned the situation where the use of land guards was gaining roots in some part of the region warning those engaged in the act to stop or face the full rigours of the law.

ACP Arim cautioned all officers to refrain from acts of indiscipline in order not to put the noble profession into disrepute.

He noted that the police was on top of their job and will continue to work hard to make the region peaceful, and called for the collaboration of all stakeholders in the fight against crime.