Following its achievements throughout 2015 - including a 2 per cent reduction in crime - the Sharjah Police have drawn up plans to make the emirate the safest city in the region according to a top Sharjah Police official.

Speaking to Khaleej Times he said the police are putting in extra effort to enhance their services in terms of rapid intervention and quick responses to emergencies road safety crime reduction and the rehabilitation of prison inmates.

Indicative of their quick response in 2015 the police managed to save a baby boy who was almost killed by a maid in the middle of the night. A police patrol managed to intervene as the maid was wielding a chopping knife to attack him.

He added that last year the Sharjah Police made great efforts to reduce the crime rate by two per cent compared to the previous year which witnessed an increase in the crime rate.

"During 2015 the police also managed to arrest all murderers suspected in murder crimes. There is no single unsolved murder in police records" the official added.

Curbing negative phenomenon

The police in coordination with the departments concerned managed to curb a significant amount of negative practises such as the arrest of gangs who try to rob customers as they come out of banks. Police deployed officers near banks to seize the culprits and also to spread awareness among clients that they need be careful while withdrawing cash.

The police also controlled to a certain extend the forgery of entry and resident visas and busted a number of gangs both inside and outside the country.

Last year the police also carried out several campaigns and busted 15400 illegals practising begging and illegal vending and washing of cars.

The police also managed to amicably solve 5.482 financial disputes and restored Dh262775 to its owners.

Drug cases

Mohammed Al Bayat Director of Police Operations at Sharjah Police said the police working in coordination with other departments have made great strides in busting gangs involved in the trafficking and promotion of drugs and seized 250kg of drugs including hashish heroin and opium as well as 7.1 million illicit pills.

Colonel Salah Al Qaseer deputy-director of the Rehabilitation Centre for Drug Addicts said the Sharjah Police believe that young addicts are victims of the scourge of drugs which have been imported from abroad.

According to Col Al Qaseer the centre is dealing with addicts as patients who are in need of care love and attention. The staff in the centre uses advanced medical treatment and methods of rehabilitation to save the lives of the addicts and offer them a chance to start afresh. In 2015 the centre provided rehabilitation services for 106 patients referred by the authorities including 18 who voluntarily surrendered themselves.

Smart services achieved in 2015

In its efforts to modify and enhance smart services as part of the strategy of the Ministry of Interior the Sharjah Police launched the e-system for social affairs services which will help exchange information with the social services department. They also launched the "Quick response code" and "from the road" apps which can be installed directly from App stores.

Best services in 2015

The Sharjah Police also launched a non-emergency call number (901) to answer queries provide directions and respond to any non-emergency situation. They also inaugurated vehicle registration services in Enoc petrol station to help reduce crowds.

Support for inmates

Live video communication has been launched for inmates to communicate with their family overseas every month.

The police also helped conduct 30 dental surgeries on 21 prison inmates at a cost of Dh60000.

In addition to this around 312 inmates benefited from psychiatric services and 214 released inmates benefited from the financial support provided by the authorities. These were done at a cost of Dh 294900.

Afkar Abdullah