How cops claim thy have reducing snatch thefts case

[Crimes]

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Snatch thefts dropped by 26.9% in the country last year, with the police attributing this to more patrols in strategic areas.

A total of 11,536 cases were reported last year, compared with 15,798 in 2003, after the police boosted their presence in the cities.

Internal Security and Public Order Director Deputy Comm Datuk Othman Talib said the success in curbing such thefts was also due to growing public awareness.

"Our studies show that snatch thieves strike mostly in quiet areas or housing estates, so we beefed up our presence in these areas and this has had a positive effect," he said.

In George Town, which is popular with tourists, the number of such cases dropped by 20% with increased police patrols, he added.

But DCP Othman said there was also a slight increase in the overall national crime index, with 156,455 cases reported last year compared with 156,315 in 2003.

Between January and February this year, the index fell by 2.27% or 557 cases over the same period last year.

There were also 161 fewer violent crimes, while crime against property was down by 396 cases over the same period.

However, rape cases increased from 1,471 in 2003 to 1,718 last year.

Motorcycle thefts also rose from 50,212 to 51,560 cases.