Drop in crime Lae’s crime rate last month

STATISTICS from the Lae metropolitan commander’s office for last month showed a drop in crime rate.
Figures last month shows that there were 168 serious crimes committed compared to 183 last December. Police made 73 arrests last month.
An arrest was made for the four separate killings recorded since the New Year.
There were five murders committed last December.
There were 13 robbery cases last month compared to 30 last December and 16 drug cases compared to 24 in December .
Grievous bodily harm cases were quite high with 32 cases cited for last month compared to 27 cases last December.
Last month’s figures also showed 14 rape cases compared to 19 in December.
There were four murder cases for last month compared to five cases last December.
The figures also showed four motor vehicle thefts compared to 10 in December.
On a month to month comparison, there were 13 break-ins compared to 15, an equal four fraud cases, four arson cases compared to six, a high 14 escapees compared to six, and two abduction cases in January 2008.
A total of 43 arrests were made for crimes committed last December, while six criminal cases were resolved through mediation.
The figures show that 73 arrests have yet to be made because the suspects have gone into hiding.
Metropolitan commander Chief Supt Nema Mondiai attributed the drop in figures in the change of strategic operations with police being stationed and posted permanently to monitor and patrol areas known for crime.
Mr Mondiai had commended his men for maintaining crime and keeping peace in Lae city despite logistics and manpower shortage.
He said the crime rate had dropped compared to the previous six months.