Crime, road accidents drop
Police in the Northern Region have reported a drop in crime and road accidents between January and March, the first quarter of 2017.
Speaking during a regional executive committee (REC) meeting in Mzuzu on Monday, Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police Peter Chasweka said they had registered 1232 criminal cases—down by 17 percent from 1 483 during the same period last year.
The number of traffic accidents also dropped by 13.3 percent from 72 to 62.
However, violent crimes, especially robberies and murders, are on the rise, he said.
According to Chasweka, the increase requires the police to revisit their strategies to ensure people stop living in fear.
“Robbery cases have increased by 3.3 percent, murder cases have increased by 45 percent, grievous harm increased by 41.7 percent,” he said.
REC chairperson Kamkhoti Mkandawire said the police need adequate resources to fight crime.
“Despite the drop in crime and road accidents, they still have a challenge as they lack cars and other necessary resources curbing crime,” he said.
