By Patience Harawa

Karonga, October 12, Mana: Karonga District has recorded a 100 percent increase in sexual related crimes this year as compared to the previous quarter of 2023 with a total of 16 cases so far recorded.

Officer in Charge for Karonga Police Station, Deputy Commissioner of Police Kelvin Mulezo revealed this on Saturday during a Station Executive Committee (SEC) meeting.

Mulezo said; "In the 2024 quarterly crime analysis of the months of July, August and September, we have registered 16 sexual cases which involved indecent assault, rape, sexual intercourse with a minor, while in 2023 during the same period we registered eight cases which shows a 100 percent increase.

"We have also registered 29 assaults crimes which involve murder, grievous harm, unlawful wounding and common assaults, against 21 cases recorded last year, which translate to a 38 percent increase.

Mulezo said the district has seen a 12.5 percent decrease in robberies with seven cases recorded, against last year`s eight. As for breakings and theft, we have recorded 39 cases while last year we had 34, representing a 14.7% increase, “he said.

The Officer In charge expressed worry over increasing number of defilement cases, saying they have been a major concern.

He said the community police was actively working to curb the malpractice and revealed plans to increase patrols, particularly in hotspot areas.

‘We have been sensitizing people about the gravity of sleeping with minors, and this led to more reports of such incidents and we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our communities," he said.

Karonga Police Station SEC Chairperson, Felix Mwakyanjala urged the police to collaborate with the community police to identify and apprehend perpetrators.

‘We need to work together to stop theses illegal activities in our villages and as community members, we have a critical role to play in preventing crime and maintain law and order. We must report suspicious activities, support the police and protect our homes’ Mwakyanjala said.

He commended the police for its effort, but said it needed to do more and consider engaging the youth and sensitize them on the value of respecting the law.

Community Police Forum Chairperson, Joyce Mwangonde, emphasized the importance of community involvement urging the community to take ownership of crime prevention initiatives and support the police.W