General News of Sunday, 6 November 2005

Source: GNA

Police steps up fight to control highway robberies

Accra, Nov. 6, GNA - The Police Administration has appealed for public support, understanding and co-operation as they stepped up the fight to check highway robberies and other violent crimes throughout the country.

A press release issued and signed by Police Deputy Superintendent (DSP) David Eklu, the Director of Public Affairs, said they have within the last two weeks introduced a number of measures to prevent armed robbery attacks on the highways.

These include deployment of uniformed and plain clothed policemen on passenger vehicles, searches on passengers and their luggage and random searches at lorry stations.

The release said, "it is expected that this random searches led by senior police officers, may cause inconvenience to motorists and passengers".

It assured the travelling public that, the security personnel deployed for the exercise would undertake the assignment with a high sense of professionalism, adding that, they have been briefed to explain their actions when necessary.

The Police was also holding consultations with the transport associations to identify the targets for the various highway robberies in order to foil any attempt, the release added.