Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Friday called on Ghana Police Service to develop strategies in crime detection to reduce the rising rate of criminal activities.

He also called for effective management of police exhibits to make them authentic to prosecute people engaged in all kinds of criminal activities.

Vice President Mahama made the call when he joined the Police in Sunyani to celebrate the annual West African Soldiers Social Activity (WASSA) in Sunyani.

WASSA is a programme to refresh members of the service and to appraise their performance during the past year.

Vice President Mahama, who is Chairman of the Police Council, said government would continue to provide the service with equipment and logistics apart from improving their salaries and offering additional incentives to the personnel.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Robert Ayalingo, Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander, commended other security agencies for cooperating with the police to combat crime.

He said the effective collaboration of the security agencies had led to the reduction of armed robbery and other organised criminal activities in the region.

The regional police commander said smuggling of goods to neighbouring countries had also reduced tremendously.

DCOP Ayalingo said more than five tons of Indian hemp were seized in police/military operations in 2011, while stealing and pick pocketing which were prevalent at the lorry parks and other public places had gone down.

He gave the assurance that the police would continue to partner colleagues in other security services to provide security to the public before, during and after this year’s general election.

DCOP Ayalingo entreated all political parties to avoid insults against their opponents during the electioneering to avoid clashes and confrontations.