Maria David
GENERAL criminal activities declined during the festive season as a result of the restriction on people’s movement due to COVID-19, as well as the intensification of police operations.
Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi said that police operations such as Hokanaka, women led-operation Basadi, and other operations carried out by law enforcement agencies during the period under review largely contributed to the dip in crime stats.
According to the statistics, during the December 2020 to January 2021 festive season, a total 1,154 cases were recorded compared to 1,332 cases recorded during the 2019/20 festive season.
This shows an overall 13% decline in the crime rate.
Shikwambi added that there was also an 18% decrease in the arrest of suspects, which translates to 591 suspects arrested during 2020/21 compared to 484 suspects arrested during 2019/20.
Crimes where a decline was noticeable include murder, attempted murder, culpable homicide, assault GBH, possession of protected game products and stock theft.
The biggest decline was noticeable in cases relating to the possession of protected game products, where there was 52% less cases reported in 2020/21 compared to the same period in 2019/20.
Culpable homicide also declined by 34%, attempted murder by 33% and inquest by 25%.
Statistics made available by the police, however, show that during the 2020/21 festive season, there was an increase in rape, armed robberies, fraud, possession/dealing in drugs, as well as possession of unpolished diamonds.
Statistics available for rape during the 2020/21 festive season indicate that of the 151 cases reported, 87 involved the rape of minors, with only 88 suspects arrested in reported rape cases.
It is largely accepted that people spending more time at home as a result of movement restrictions has also resulted in more minors enduring sexual abuse at the hands of their relatives.
