Tarkwa, Aug 14, GNA - Superintendent Slim Opoku Manford, the Tarkwa District Police Commander, has appealed to communities to assist the police to clamp down on criminals.

He said without the public the police would not be able to discharge their duties effectively.

"Communities should not hesitate to give information to the police," he said at the inauguration of a 22-member Neighbourhood Watch Committee at Samahuu, near Tarkwa.

He said people could arrest criminals and hand them over to the police but cautioned that suspects should not be manhandled. "It is unfortunate the public sometimes lynches criminals. This impedes investigations that can lead to the arrest of accomplices, so a stop should be put to the practice." Mr Barnie Attobrah, the leader of the Committee, assured the police that his team would work hard to maintain peace in the area.