By Margret Kalua

Nkhata Bay, August 17, mana: Nkhata Bay District has registered a decrease in road accidents and crime cases in the first half of 2023 by 48 and 6.6 percent respectively.

According to the biannual report released by Research and Planning Unit at the station, a total of 25 road traffic accidents have been registered this year as compared to 48 recorded in 2022 representing 48% decrease.

On the other hand, a total of 295 criminal cases have been recorded this year compared to the 316 cases recorded in 2022 within the same period representing 6.6 percent decrease.

In an interview, Nkhata Bay police station spokesperson, Kondwani James attributed the decrease to a number of strategies including introduction of breathalyzers, intensive awareness and school outreach programmes.

“There was increased day and night police visibility, road users were also cooperative in terms of observing traffic rules and regulation and there was intensive traffic checks in all incident prone areas,” he added.

He said as a way of forging ahead, they have introduced neighborhood watch and business watch schemes as additional measures to support in dealing with the criminal acts in the remaining half of the year.

Area Development Committee Chairperson for Traditional Authority (T/A) Mkumbira in the district, Mavuto Kaunda commended Nkhata Bay police for the development saying it is as a result of good coordination between them and their people.

He has however urged some T/As in the district to ensure they have community police forums to supplement the work of police officers and pleaded with shop owners to employ guards.