Seven persons said to have been terrorizing residents, traders and commuters in and around the Kaneshie Market and Lorry Park in Accra have been arrested by the police.

They include Timothy Akpa, 45, a driver, Kwabena Mensah, 26, a barber, Mensah Dzamesi, 21, and Osumanu Tanko, 26 both porters.

The rest are Kwame Asare, 22, a petty trader, Stephen Cudjoe, 20, a driver's mate, and Adolf Creepy, also known as 'Red', 30 a scrap dealer. The Kaneshie District Police Commander, Chief Superintendent William Jib Kwannair, told newsmen on Friday that the suspects were arrested during special operations aimed at ridding Kaneshie area of criminals.

He said the police had received numerous complaints, particularly from the Kasoa station and the Mpramprom area of Kaneshie, about attacks by thugs. He said the criminals often operated during the rush hours (6pm to 10pm), snatching mobile phones, hand bags and other valuables. "We are adopting new strategies to track down such criminals," said the district Police Commander and commended those who provided information leading to the arrest. He asked people who had been victims of crime in the area to contact the police to assist in identifying the culprits.