IGP launches horse patrol operations to help combat crime
As part of measures to combat the increasing rate of crime in the country, the Acting Inspector-General of Police (Ag. IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, on Thursday, 12 August, launched the Horse Patrol operations in Accra to augment police patrol duties.
The patrol team would provide security in a friendly and interactive manner, with officers on horseback.
This would complement other police patrol duties including Community Foot Patrol, Motorbike Patrol, Visibility Patrol and recently deployed Motorcycle Traffic Management and Mobility Teams in Tema, Accra and other crime prune areas in the capital.
Speaking at the launch of the operation, the Director-General of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Commissioner of Police (COP), Edward Tabiri assured the officers of the needed communication logistical support during their duty tours.
This is to ensure that they communicate efficiently for assistance whenever the need arises during their operations.
Speaking on behalf of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General National Patrols Department (NPD), COP Yaagy Akuribah, advised the Police Officers (Troopers) detailed for such duties to demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of their work for excellent services.
He reiterated that the Troopers should assist in building trust and public confidence within the communities since they are among the first point of call when it comes to security.
Present at the launch were the Director-General of Research and Planning of the police service, COP Paul Awini Manly as well as the Director-General National Protection Directorate, COP Patrick Atampugre Akolgo.
The Director-General Special Duties, COP Vincent Redeemer Dedjoe; and the Director-General Operations, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mohammed Fuseini Suraji, and other senior officers of the Ghana Police Service were also present.
READ ALSO: Crime Shot Up 30% During Lockdown – Statistical Service
Data from the Ghana Statistical Service has shown that when the country went on lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a rise in criminal activities.
The findings showed that at least three out of 10 communities (34.1%) experienced a rise in crime, such as theft and burglary.
The lawbreakers also engaged in other acts, and it emerged that domestic violence went up by 3.7% and assaults by 3.1% in communities.
Lockdown localities saw the highest increase (47.1%) in crimes.
These are major findings of the Local Economies Tracker conducted by the GSS, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
It was undertaken in 2,770 localities in all 16 regions of Ghana.
In recent times, there have been a number of criminal activities, including daylight robbery attacks
On June 14, some robbers attacked a MON TRAN bullion van Adedenkpo, a suburb of James Town, killing a police officer on escort duty, and a hawker.
The armed men also fired sporadically in the air and on the driver, who sustained gunshot wounds.
READ ALSO: Robbers Engage In Gun Battle With Cops In Another Bullion Van Attack
In a related development, armed robbers attacked another bullion van at Gomoa Okyereko on the Kasoa – Winneba road in the Central Region, barely a week after a similar incident resulted in two deaths at Jamestown.
According to police reports, the robbers fired several rounds in the direction of the front seat of the vehicle with registration number GN 6956-17.
The bullion van, which had a policeman as an escort, refused to stop.
The cop immediately called for backup as the bullets rained in his direction on a sunny afternoon.
A team from the Winneba Police Station was quickly dispatched to the scene, but the robbers were not perturbed.
Rather, the six-man gang exchanged fire with the police for several minutes before they fled in the direction of a nearby bush.
No one was injured, and the money in the bullion van remained intact.