By: Saidu Jalloh
The Director of Crime of the Sierra Leone, Joseph Ibrahim Lahai has in a press conference held at the Sierra Leone Police Head Quarters, George Street, Freetown, officially launched the SLP crime statistics report on the 14th February, 2024. This report was launched to keep the public informed about the good work of the police.
Mr. Lahai analyzed and summarized the report by saying crime is a law enforcement function that involves systematic examination of the trends and patterns of crime and disorder.
He explained to the press that information on crime patterns could help management of the SLP and the government to deploy resources in a more effective and efficient manner.
Mr. Lahai as well further that this method could assists detective in identifying and apprehending criminals.
He expressed that the analysis they had done in the report would play a critical role devising solutions to crime problems and formulating crime prevention strategies.
He revealed that the report contains analysis of the police nationwide from January to December 2023 and also the report further indicates the overall percentage of reported case in 2023.
He also said that major offences were captured in the 2023 report and various hotspots for crimes were identified.
Additionally, Mr. Lahai gave a detailed report of crimes reported and investigated in all six [6] Police Command Regions in Sierra Leone with an overall crime rate of 0.35% as compare to crimes in 2023 with a reduction of 0.4%.
Furthermore, Mr. Lahai reminiscence on the past report of [2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023] in which he said the country had recorded considerable reduction in the rate of crime which ranked the country third in Africa as the most peaceful country and first in West Africa.
The Director of Crime, Mr. Lahai highlighted the possible reduction of crime in 2023 in which he stated that they have improved and sustained community engagement in the fight against crimes, improved logistical support in the of patrol vehicles, enhanced operational coordination at strategic, tactical and operation levels, enhanced inter- institutional relationship between the security and justice sector agencies and also mount checkpoints at strategic points was also a contributing factor.
Mr. Lahai lamented that Western Area is prone to criminal activities than any other region in Sierra Leone this is due to the large population in the region. He said Western Area [Freetown East and West] had accounted more of the crimes in the report there number is 18,988 [62.0%] Southern Region also accumulated 3,275 [11%] Northern Region [North and West] accounted 5,180 [17.0] and Eastern Region recorded 3,048 [10.0%].
Conclusively, Mr. Lahai stated that there were 30,491 recorded cases in 2023, in which he said offences against women and children recorded the highest number of 10,063 case. These cases include sexual penetration, rape and sexual gender based violence also property offences was increased with over seven thousand cases were reported including Larceny, Robbery, House breaking and Larceny Bailee, economic offences were above three thousand including false pretense, fraudulent conversion and obtaining credit by fraud.
