UAE | Crime
Sharjah saw 60 crimes a day last year: police report says
A crime was committed every 24 minutes in Sharjah, resulting in an average of 60 a day last year, according to the Sharjah Police Annual Statistics Report 2008.
- By Mariam M. Al Serkal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:07 June 21, 2009
- Police launched the night patrols last April in which Anjad squads monitor the streets from 9pm until dawn in order to help residents feel secure.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Sharjah: A crime was committed every 24 minutes in Sharjah, resulting in an average of 60 a day last year, according to the Sharjah Police Annual Statistics Report 2008.
A senior official at Sharjah Police said: "The crimes are not limited to murders and robbery offences, as there are also petty thefts and traffic-related accidents that are also classified under the category of crime.
"Residents should not panic about these statistics and police have already increased their patrols at night to monitor residential, commercial and industrial areas."
Police launched the night patrols last April in which Anjad squads monitor the streets from 9pm until dawn in order to help residents feel secure.
Crime in the emirate increased in 2008 to 21,870 reported incidents, up by 2,327 over 2007, according to the annual statistics report.
Financial crimes increased by 19.1 per cent to 16,695. Dud cheques comprised 39.3 per cent of the total.
The police report also showed an increase in car thefts of 14.5 per cent, house thefts up by 10.8 per cent and document forgery up by 72.3 per cent over the previous year.
There were 2,680 crimes committed for every 100,000 residents.
In response to the statistics, an official from the Police Research Department said that the crime rate in the emirate was in no way comparable to those in Western countries.
Statistics also revealed that drug related crimes increased by 57.5 per cent in 2008, and 40.3 per cent (144 cases) were carried out by UAE nationals.
Drug consumption increased by 85 per cent, possession by 69 per cent, smuggling by 8.5 per cent, trafficking by 5.6 per cent and trading by 2.8 per cent.
Juvenile cases amounted to 2.2 per cent (484 cases) and involved 213 UAE nationals.
With regard to traffic accidents in 2008, the annual report stated that 1,930 accidents were referred to the Sharjah Public Prosecution.
The accidents resulted in 197 deaths, 143 major injuries, and 823 minor injuries.
However, not all crimes are on the rise.
The number of residency law violations decreased by 66.5 per cent, kidnapping by 33 per cent and alcohol related crimes fell by 1.1 per cent.
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