PENANG CRIME INDEX SHOWS SIGNIFICANT DROP

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- The crime index in Penang from January to September has shown a significant reduction, with 2,400 cases reported compared to 3,847 during the same period last year.

Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said this is equivalent to a drop of 28.7 per cent or 1,447 cases, while the number of cases for violent crime also dropped from 732 to 591, which is an 18.3 per cent reduction.

He added that, as for property crime, the number of cases reduced from 2,500 to 1,809 for a 27.6 per cent drop for the first nine months of this year.

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"This success is not the result of individual work but due to the teamwork, dedication and commitment of all Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) personnel in Penang - right from the highest leadership lineup to the personnel on the ground - who put in the hard yards night and day to ensure the state's peace and safety.

"I would like to state that, overall, the level of public safety and peace in Penang is under control,” he said in his speech at the Penang Police contingent's monthly assembly and the launch of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) 2nd Bridge Solidarity Fun Ride 2026. 

Azizee said police received a total of 13,777 reports related to commercial cases in the first six months of this year, with an increase of 3,434 cases compared to the same period last year, and with a total loss of RM174.6 million.

He added that the rise in commercial crime cases showed that police need to constantly be aware of and in-depth understanding of the modus operandi used by fraud syndicates to ensure prevention measures and enforcement actions can be implemented more effectively.

"So, let's all publicise the availability of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) to the public so that they know how immediate assistance can be accessed by contacting 997, which is the official NSRC hotline, if they become or have the potential to become victims of online fraud,” he added.

He also thanked all PDRM personnel for their unparalleled determination, discipline and sacrifices in carrying out the trust placed on them.

He urged the public to be the ears and eyes of the security force to ensure the people's well-being and the country's digital safety continue to be safeguarded.

-- BERNAMA