Crime rate up in Western Region

The Western Region recorded a total of 24,525 crime cases last year as against 19,056 cases recorded in 2011.

The figure showed an increase of 5,469 cases with assault topping the list with 8,380 cases.

This was contained in a crime statistics released by the Regional Crime Office and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Sekondi on Wednesday.

Out of the figure, 7,074 were sent to court with 3,322 convictions, 1,283 acquittals while 14 cases were discharged.

The statistics said 2,025 cases are still on trial whilst 13,511 cases are under investigations while 2,448 cases are closed.

The breakdown of crime rates in the Region are as follows: rape77, murder 59, attempted murder 18, robbery 62, possession of narcotic drugs 59, attempted rape nine, defilement 323, abortion 87 and attempted abortion eight.

Others were abduction 170, attempted suicide 22, indecent assault 17, kidnapping four, offensive conduct 1, 468, act tending 199, causing harm 528, stealing 4,976, attempted stealing 28, forgery 13, defrauding by false pretence 2,384, fraudulent breach of trust 48, possessing fake currency 19, issue of false cheque 103, threat of death 1,262, threat of harm 1,247, causing unlawful damage 1,021 and unlawful entry 103.

The rest were unlawful ejection 25, trespassing 123, inducing tenant to quit 134, failing to provide necessities of life and health 1,302, unlawful removal of child 12, attempting stowaway two, child stealing four, abandonment of child 10, illegal mining 35, illegal entry into forest 83, sand winning 20, carnal knowledge of idiots three, leaving ferocious dogs astray four, exploitative child labour four, human trafficking seven and conspiracy to commit crime four.

Source: GNA