Sex crimes on the rise in Mulanje

Mulanje district has registered an increase in sexual offences in the first six months of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.

This has been revealed by a crime report released by Mulanje police station and signed by its spokesperson Gresham Ngwira.

According to the report, sexual abuse cases have jumped from 22 last year to 31 during the first half of this year.

However, general crime rate in the district has been reduced by 10 percent.

“In 2016 a total of 805 cases were recorded against 724 recorded this year. Of interest is also the fact that some serious offences such as robbery with violence and house breaking have dropped. For example, this year 12 cases of robbery with violence have been registered,” Reads the report.
According to the report, the general crime decline is attributed to several reasons such as good police public relations, improved visibility of police officers in crime prone areas and stiff punishments given to offenders.

“Because of good relationship with the public, police have been able to receive tips concerning committed crime or that it is about to be committed,” reads the report.

On this note, Police have commended stakeholders such as community policing groups, NGOs, media and individuals for the untiring support they render aimed at fighting crime.

The Police say organisations such as Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) stepped up efforts aimed at sensitizing the public and through such awareness people are able to report cases to relevant authorities.