Police seek safe neighbourhood

Dubai: The next time you witness a crime don't be afraid to report it to your neighbourhood police.

Dubai Police are intensifying their awareness campaign to create better cooperation between the public and police in curbing and combating crimes, said Lieutenant Colonel Salim Al Rumaithi, Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigation General Department of Dubai Police.

Brigadier Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Director of the General Department for Criminal Investigations, said that only five per cent of criminal cases are resolved with the assistance from the public and in general there is only a 20 to 30 per cent participation or willingness to assist, which is below par, he said.

The public can assist in crimes such as robberies, fraud, murder, kidnap, rape, wanted people, suspicious items left in public areas, foul smell coming out of a flat or car, person sleeping in a car, car parked in a suspicious area for long period, stolen items, and breach of trust. Every police station has a neighbourhood council, which has appointed and trusted members from a specific area to represent the concerns of a community. Members are from different nationalities and are appointed for two years.

"People can communicate with their neighbourhood council members for any concerns. The members are tasked to assist us in bridging the gap between the police and the public specifically with certain communities," said Lieutenant Colonel Dr Mohammad Nasser Al Razooqi, Deputy Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation for Police Station Affairs.

Money doubling crimes and fraud have created significant loses to its victims with different scams and methods used to lure victims to respond to emails and phone messages that promises them great value for money. The public is urged to report such scams.

"Recently people with fake companies are randomly calling victims convincing them that they have won prizes and in return ask for personal details," said Lieutenant Col Al Rumaithi.

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