24% decrease in grave crimes after deployment of more policemen for patrolling

• Some 55,853 road patrols conducted during May

The total number of grave crimes has decreased by 24% in the past month following the deployment of 60% of police officers for patrolling in each police station island-wide in parallel to the ‘Yukthiya Operation,’ the latest statistics revealed.

Accordingly, 2,055 crimes were reported in May last year, and after more police officers were deployed on road patrols from May 1st, the total number of violent crimes was reduced to 1,562 in May this year.

After the direction given was by IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon to the officers in charge of the divisions, from May 1st, some 55,853 road patrols were conducted during the month. During that period, 740 house burglaries, 451 property thefts, 136 vehicle and motorcycle thefts, 126 robberies, and 109 jewellery thefts have been reported.

During this period, house break-ins, property thefts, vehicle and motorcycle thefts, robberies and gold jewellery thefts have been reduced by 24 per cent compared to last year.

Additionally, during a discussion on Saturday (15), the Police Chief instructed immediate action against police station OICs who did not properly implement orders, and requested explanations from officers in charge of the divisions and Assistant Superintendents of Police. 

The IGP has also ordered the use of more patrols and reduce grave crimes in order to achieve continuous successful results through this method.

Intelligence agencies have also taken steps to call for reports about police stations that are not performing their duties properly, it was revealed during the discussions.