Police aim for better results

The Public Order Ministry has determined the targets it wants police to meet this year, to give citizens a sense that they have an effective police force on their side, as minister Michalis Chrysochoidis said yesterday. Police priorities over the last three years, which have led to a drop in crime, have been to improve policing through more foot patrols, new patrol cars and renewed training for officers. Now the targets for 2002 are, as compared to 2001: A 4-percent reduction in theft, a 10-percent drop in robberies and a 5-percent reduction in car theft; 22 percent of thefts and burglaries must be solved, 35 percent of robberies, 55 percent of stolen vehicles recovered and a 30-percent rise in identifying cases of sexual exploitation. The ministry wants a 30-percent increase in the arrests of illegal migrants in border areas and a 20-percent increase elsewhere. Regarding road safety, the ministry wants a 5-percent drop in fatalities and injuries.