Sabah’s crime rate hikes 22.06 per cent, police says

KOTA KINABALU - Sabah’s crime index for the first seven months of the year shows an increase to 439 cases or 22.06 per cent compared to last year throughout the same duration.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah said the increase recorded was from Jan 1 to July 31 with 2,429 recorded cases compared to last year of 1,990 in the same period.

“In terms of a breakdown, there were 2,153 cases of property crimes which was an increase of 24.25 per cent or 423 cases.

“Violent crimes showed the increase of 6.15 per cent or 15 cases throughout the period of January to July,” he said after programme to commemorate the 215th Police Day here yesterday.

He said the Sabah Contingent ranked fourth after Perak in the comparison for crime index throughout the period.

“Similarly, in terms of solved cases, Sabah ranks fourth with a percentage of 72.30 per cent of the 14 contingents nationwide.

“However, comparing the crime index statistics for the period of Jan 1 to July 31 2019 (Before Covid-19 pandemic) and 2022 for the same period there was a significant decline.

“In 2019, overall crime index was 3,340 cases and this represents a decrease of -911 cases equivalent to -27.28 per cent,” he said.

Idris said the Sabah police would continue to strive and give a high level of commitment in efforts to lower the crime rate so that the community feels safe.

“However, this effort will not be achieved without the community’s cooperation.

“Therefore, we welcome the community to channel any information and suspicious activities in keeping the state safe,” he said.