The Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr Christian Tettey Yohonu, last Friday night paid unannounced visits to a number of snap checkpoints in some parts of Accra.
The exercise, in which the commander and his team toured about 20 snap checkpoints, was to ensure that �the region recorded a crime-free night�.
Some of the spots visited included police visibility points and snap checkpoints on the streets near the Physicians and Surgeons College, the Ghana National Fire Service Headquarters and the Osu Oxford Street.
Accompanied by seven journalists, Mr Yohonu also visited checkpoints in the Adentan community, including those at Marjoo, Kwatey Papafio, Lakeside Estates, Agbogba and the Panlau East.
The team also visited the Legon Police District, which had positioned policemen at Adjirigaano and East Legon, and proceeded to Kwabenya, Kaneshie and ended at Odorkor.
At each point, the personnel on duty stopped cars and searched the occupants and the cars to �see if anything incriminating could be found on them�.
Mr Yohonu observed that snap checkpoints mounted by the police in the night were yielding results.
�Through snap checkpoints, there has been a drastic reduction in crime in the past year,� he said.
The Regional Police Commander explained that the visit to the snap checkpoints was also to find out if policemen at those checkpoints were discharging their duties in a professional manner and were ready to respond promptly to robbery incidents.
He urged the public to take note of the police emergency contact number of 0302773906 and the toll free line 1855 to inform the police of any criminal incidents.
�I want to assure the public that we have brought the police so close to them through the checkpoints and the emergency numbers. If you call the police, they will come to your rescue within two to three minutes,� he said.
Searching cars and occupants
The Nima Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendant Mr Nuhu Jango, explained that the snap checkpoints were positioned at strategic places such as road intersections and points closer to residents to prevent criminals from attacking people.
�The crime rate in this area has reduced and we need to sustain it,� he said.
It was also observed that in addition to police branded vehicles used for patrols, the police also used unmarked vehicles in the night to look out for criminals and pursue armed robbers or individuals who engaged in criminal activities under the cover of darkness.
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