Chief Superintendent David Eklu, Ashaiman Divisional Police Commander, has said the crime situation within the Ashaiman Municipality has been brought under control despite the perception that it’s a haven for criminals.

He said the number of cases recorded by his outfit last year stood at 4,858 as against 8,811 cases handled during the same period in 2010.

He said this when speaking at the first West African Security Services Association (WASSA) get-together organised by the Divisional Police Command for personnel in the municipality.

WASSA is held annually by the security services for officers to take time off to relax and interact with the other ranks and it is also a period of stock-taking of the performances of the security services over the past year so that together with stakeholders in crime prevention and control they could strategise for improved methods in managing the crime situation.

Chief Supt Eklu said the drastic fall in crime in the municipality was as a result of more pragmatic methods of crime prevention including regular Police presence in the streets especially during the christmas festivities as well as closer Police-public cooperation.

He said the incidence of violent crimes such as robbery, murder and the use of narcotics such as marijuana hemp were issues the Divisional Police Command still has to contend with.

The Divisional Police Commander said in 2010 a total of five murder cases were recorded, while the number increased to nine last year, adding that 82 robbery cases were recorded last year as against 55 in 2010.

On the upcoming general elections, Chief Supt Eklu said the Police would partner the public and build the capacity for officers to effectively discharge their duties and provide the needed security to ensure peaceful and violent-free elections.

Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi, MP for Ashaiman, commended the security agencies in the municipality for their commitment, zeal, devotion and dedication to duty and urged them to work even harder this year to ensure peaceful elections.

Nii Adjor II, Regent of Ashaiman, pledged the Ashaiman Divisional Council’s unflinching support for the security agencies to help bring peace and stability within the municipality.

The Divisional Police Command used the occasion to honour a retired Police Officer, ex-Detective Chief Inspector Ebenezer Sarkwa Yeboah and presented him with a native kente cloth and a pair of native sandals to match with for his 39 years of dedicated and meritorious service to the Ghana Police Service.