Kumasi, July 01, GNA - Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Frank Adu-Poku, Ashanti Regional Police commander, has expressed concern about the increasing involvement of children in criminal activities in the Kumasi metropolis.

He said the situation, if not immediately checked, could pose a serious danger in the country in the near future. ACP Adu-Poku has therefore appealed to parents and guardians to take keen interest in the proper upbringing of their children and instill in them virtues that would help them grow up to become responsible and God-fearing adults.

He was briefing journalists in Kumasi on Friday on the arrest of 11 suspected criminals in separate police operations at different locations in the metropolis.

The suspects, most of whom, were below 20 years, were arrested for allegedly snatching mobile phones, possessing military accoutrements and other offensive weapons as well as stealing. They were Farouk Awal, 22-year-old unemployed, Kofi Agyei, 26-year-old taxi driver, Yaw Fosu, 13, Kwabena Azinabu, 20, a fitter, Mujeed Yaro Ibrahim, 18, Kwaku Duah, 22, and Collins Osei Yaw alias 'Obolo', 22, who was described by the police as notorious armed robber who had been on the police wanted list for sometime. The rest were Kwame Gyimah, Kwame Grusah alias Kwaku Grushie, 26, Francis Appiah, 24, and Mubarak Mohammed, also 24 years. They were arrested at Kenyase, Buokrom, Roman Hill, Adwee-Nkwanta, and Aboabo.

The police retrieved military uniforms, knives, axes, sound systems, mobile phones, cash and other offensive items from their rooms. ACP Adu-Poku said the police was concerned about the ages of some of the suspected criminals since they posed a threat to society. He, however, said the police would not spare any effort in arresting the criminals in order to create a peaceful atmosphere for law-abiding residents in the metropolis. The Regional Police Commander stated that maintenance of peace and security was a shared responsibility and called on the media and members of the public to give out information to the police to enable them to arrest criminals from the hideouts.