KUCHING: Kuching Police chief ASP Roslan Bek Ahmad yesterday disclosed that the city experienced a more significant drop in number of snatch thefts last year than the previous year.
Roslan revealed the percentage was down by 60 per cent compared to 2012.
He added that it is the highest rate of decline for that period compared to other cities in the country.
There were only eight cases targetting tourists in the city last year.
“We are not satisfied and aim to have zero cases in future.
“It is not impossible with the cooperation of society and the hotel management because such crime give our country a bad image.
“We want tourists to feel safe,” he told reporters at the launch of Kuching district police pilot project for bicycle crime prevention unit at Merdeka Palace Hotel yesterday morning.
The cycling unit will be going from hotel to hotel in the city to meet and greet the people and hotel staff.
“The police will get to the ground to meet the people, especially tourists to extend a helping hand in crime prevention.”
He said the hotel will be a check point for the team of about 24 officers covering areas along their cycling route.
In unrelated developments, seven suspects were arrested in connection with the burglary of a electrical supply shop in the city last Friday, Roslan said.
The suspects, aged 30 to 40, were picked up from several places in the city after the case was reported.
All of them were placed on four-day remand to facilitate police investigation.
Initial investigation led police to find two television sets as well as a Ford van, a Perodua Kancil and a Perodua Kenari which were all seized as exhibits.
Among the items reported missing were electrical items, cheques and cash — all worth an estimated RM80,000.
The four suspects tested positive for syabu.
The case is still under investigation.
Meanwhile, a man was detained last Friday for alleged possession of a home-made pump gun and bullets in Matang as well as intimidating two men at Kampung Gita.
It was said the 45-year-old suspect, holding the gun, stopped a victim on a motorbike with a friend.
He was said to be drunk and in a rage when he released a shot on the road, but later allowed the victim and his friend to leave after they apologised and shook hands with him.
It was learnt that the victim was injured.
The suspect was remanded for four days to facilitate investigation under Section 506 of the Penal Code and Section 32 of the Arms Act 1960 for possession of imitation firearm.