S'wak crime index drops with implementation of amended POCA

KUCHING: Sarawak has continued to record a dip in crime index with the implementation of the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA) (Amendment and Extension) 2014.
Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Datuk Dev Kumar said the crime cases in the state dropped by six % or 425 cases to 6,382 cases last year compared to 6,807 cases in 2016.
He also said a total of 130 hardcore criminals were arrested under the amended POCA last year, the third highest in the country after Selangor and Johor.
Of the number, 37 offenders were allegedly involved in house break-ins, 26 (motorcycle theft), 30 (theft), 21 (violent crimes and robbery) and 16 (vehicle theft), he told a press conference after witnessing the handing over of duties of the Sarawak CID deputy chief (Investigation/Legislation) at the State Police Contingent headquarters here today.
Dev said violent crimes dropped by 7% to 882 last year cases compared to 951 the previous year.
Sarawak had also recorded a significant reduction in crime index over the past 10 years with only about 6,000 cases recorded last year compared to 12,000 cases in 2008, he added. — Bernama