KUCHING: Index crime cases in the city recorded a significant drop of 25.44 per cent between January and September this year compared to the same period in 2024.
Kuching District Police Chief, ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, said a total of 548 cases were reported this year, compared to 735 cases in 2024 – a reduction of 187 cases.
He said violent crime fell marginally by 1.43 per cent, from 70 cases last year to 69 this year, while property crime saw a decline of 27.97 per cent, with 479 cases reported this year compared to 665 in 2024.
“Among the offences that showed the most notable decrease were motorcycle theft, which dropped by 18.3 per cent from 229 to 187 cases, and gang robbery without firearms, which fell by 9.67 per cent, from 31 to 28 cases,” he said during the police monthly assembly at Kuching District Police Headquarters here today.
Despite the encouraging trend, Alexson stressed that the police would continue to intensify crime prevention campaigns to ensure public safety.
On narcotics, he said police opened 1,507 investigation papers and arrested 1,583 individuals for various drug offences from January to August this year, compared to 1,468 investigation papers and 1,517 arrests during the same period last year.
For commercial crimes, he said cases rose by 163 cases or 53.3 per cent for the first eight months of this year, with 483 investigation papers opened this year compared to 315 last year.
“However, the total losses reported dropped by 20.46 per cent, or RM5.7 million compared to the same period in 2024,” he said.
Alexson added that road accidents also recorded a slight decrease of 1.5 per cent, with 3,957 cases reported for the period of January to August this year compared to 4,019 cases in the same period last year.
“However, fatal accidents increased from 17 in 2024 to 19 cases this year, while accidents involving serious injuries spiked sharply from six to 15 cases. Minor injury cases also went up from five to 13.
“Most road accidents were caused by driver negligence, including tailgating, lack of focus, and speeding,” he revealed.
On traffic enforcement, he said police issued 37,113 summonses between January and August this year, an increase of 13.8 per cent compared to 32,620 in the same period last year.
Police also arrested 26 individuals for reckless driving or street racing under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, and another 10 individuals under Section 45 of the same Act for driving under the influence of alcohol.
He said violent crime fell marginally by 1.43 per cent, from 70 cases last year to 69 this year, while property crime saw a decline of 27.97 per cent, with 479 cases reported this year compared to 665 in 2024.
“Among the offences that showed the most notable decrease were motorcycle theft, which dropped by 18.3 per cent from 229 to 187 cases, and gang robbery without firearms, which fell by 9.67 per cent, from 31 to 28 cases,” he said during the police monthly assembly at Kuching District Police Headquarters here today.
Despite the encouraging trend, Alexson stressed that the police would continue to intensify crime prevention campaigns to ensure public safety.
On narcotics, he said police opened 1,507 investigation papers and arrested 1,583 individuals for various drug offences from January to August this year, compared to 1,468 investigation papers and 1,517 arrests during the same period last year.
For commercial crimes, he said cases rose by 163 cases or 53.3 per cent for the first eight months of this year, with 483 investigation papers opened this year compared to 315 last year.
“However, the total losses reported dropped by 20.46 per cent, or RM5.7 million compared to the same period in 2024,” he said.
Alexson added that road accidents also recorded a slight decrease of 1.5 per cent, with 3,957 cases reported for the period of January to August this year compared to 4,019 cases in the same period last year.
“However, fatal accidents increased from 17 in 2024 to 19 cases this year, while accidents involving serious injuries spiked sharply from six to 15 cases. Minor injury cases also went up from five to 13.
“Most road accidents were caused by driver negligence, including tailgating, lack of focus, and speeding,” he revealed.
On traffic enforcement, he said police issued 37,113 summonses between January and August this year, an increase of 13.8 per cent compared to 32,620 in the same period last year.
Police also arrested 26 individuals for reckless driving or street racing under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, and another 10 individuals under Section 45 of the same Act for driving under the influence of alcohol.