Deputy Superintendent of Police (DCOP) Augustine Gyening, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander has said his outfit was determined to clamp down on criminal activities to ensure the safety of residents in the Region.

He appealed to residents to have confidence in the personnel and provide them with needed information to track and arrest criminals in their communities.

DCOP Gyening said this when interacting with Zongo chiefs after he inaugurated a washroom project at the Asawasi District Police Station in Kumasi.

The Ashanti Region had in recent times seen the upsurge in armed robbery cases and other nefarious activities, particularly the use of unlicensed motorbikes to terrorize residents.

DCOP Gyening said this had created unnecessary tension in some communities as some residents were afraid to go out at night to carry out their normal activities.

The project was funded by Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawasi at the cost of GH? 105,000 from his share of the National Health Insurance Fund.

DCOP Gyening appealed to Zongo chiefs to embrace the neighbourhood watch committee concept to deal with criminal activities at the community level stressing that the onus also lies on them not to shield suspected criminals.

He said it was equally important for the public to volunteer information leading to the arrest of criminals since most of them live among them.

Alhaji Mubarak said he would continue to contribute his quota towards the development of infrastructure at the Asawasi District Police Station saying this would make them efficient in dealing with crime of all forms to enhance security in his constituency.

Alhaji Mubarak underscored the need for the Zongo chiefs to mentor the youth positively to lead decent lives for their progress.