Police dismiss allegations of rise in crime rate

KUALA LUMPUR: The police today dismissed allegations of an increase in the crime rate in the country because of people having lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the number of cases has indeed dropped this year.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Huzir Mohamed said there was a 23 per cent reduction in the number of criminal cases between Jan 1 and Nov 15 this year compared to the corresponding period last year.

The number of cases dropped by 16,719 from the 72,836 reported last year, he said in a statement.

He said the police are aware of public concern over a possible rise in the number of criminal cases in the mistaken belief that it is due to people having lost their jobs because of the pandemic.

The community becomes upset over the incidents of snatch theft in the country circulated on social media, he said.

-- BERNAMA