Kumasi, March 21, GNA - The media had been urged to play leading rol= e in getting the public to actively support the Police in crime prevention and combat. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Patrick Timbilla, Ashanti Regio= nal Police Commander, said they should help the people to understand, accept and enthusiastically participate in efforts at bringing down crime in the country.

He was interacting with a section of journalists in Kumasi to solici= t their support in the implementation of an ambitious community policing initiative launched by the Regional Police Command. DCOP Timbilla said the initiative, which aimed at preventing crime i= n communities, needed the active involvement and support of community membe= rs to succeed. The media, therefore, has an integral role in the sensitization exerc= ise to ensure its success.

He said the provision of complete, relevant and reliable information= by the public to aid in investigations remained a serious challenge to the Police. While most victims find it difficult to describe crime situations and objects used in criminal activities others are unable to narrate accurate= ly the exact circumstances that led to the crime and this hamper investigations.

Mr Timbilla said it was, therefore, important to educate the public to critically observe their environment, report and give accurate informatio= n on people, who they suspect to be about to commit crime to the Police. He said preventive policing demanded sensitizing community members to be=

become more alert and security conscious.

Mr Timbilla said under the initiative, the Police would be interacting w= ith the banks and other financial institutions, district assemblies, educatio= nal institutions, traditional authorities, transport unions and other identifiable bodies in the Region. He said effective education of these groups of people was critical if criminal activities were to be prevented.