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The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr Ken Yeboah has stated that though he was new to the region, he and his men are ready face robbers to secure security for the people.

It has been rumoured that armed robbers who had taken to their heels from the region in recent years during the adminsistration of the then regional police commander, Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr Kofi Boakye had hinted of their comeback upon hearing news of his transfer.

In a recent shakeup in the Police Administration, COP Boakye was transfered to the National Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service to head Research and Planning Unit.

DCOP Yeboah was however, transfered from the Northern Region as regional commander to the Ashanti Region of the same position.

Speaking on Kumasi-based radio station, Hello 101.5 fm morning show hosted by King Edward on Tuesday, on his first public interaction, DCOP Yeboah said it was important for the police to interact with the public periodically to solicit their concerns on security.

He maintained that security was a collective responsibility and that it was incumbent on both security agents and civilians to ensure that there was security in place.

He said having being in office in less than a month, his outfit had arrested five suspected robbers who had been remanded in prison custody to demonstrate the readiness of his new administration to fight robbery in the region.

He said his predecessor (COP Boakye) had Marshalled a lot of strategies to deal with robbers and he had come to add on what his predecessor did stating that "I'm ready to face robbers in the region".

He said his outfit was more than ready to collaborate with the relevant stakeholders in dealing with the fulani menace, mostly at the Agogo area of the Asante Akyem North.

He added that his office was also aware of the fight against illegal mining popularly known as 'galamsey' and he was more than ready to strengthen forces with the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) in fighting galamsey.

He observed that the effect of the activities of galamsey had risen to the point of no land reclamation posing a threat to security and under no circumstances should it be tolerated by security agencies.

He noted that the number of victims of pick-pocketing and snatching of mobile phones and tablets at the central business district was increasing by the day and called on the members of the public to be wary of the menace.

He urged all victims to quickly report such matters to the police for investigations clamp down on such "unacceptable conduct".

On road accident, DCOP Yeboah said it was about time drivers resorted to the best traffic regulations to ensure the safety of passengers.

Noting very well that most road accidents were due to human error, he urged all drivers, especially, those operating on long journey schedules to go according to the prescribed speed limits to reduce the carnage on the roads.

In quick succession after phone-in session, he advised drivers to try as much as possible to acquire the necessary driving documents to curb instances where drivers engage themselves in bribery with police officers on the roads.

Unregistered motorbikes & vehicles
The regional police commander said he had noted that most criminals had been using unregistered motorbikes and vehicles to engage in robbery.

He ascertained that unregistered vehicles and motors would make it difficult for the police to track robbers who used them in their expeditions.

He however, warned that under no circumstance would the police countenance vehicles plying with DV Plates and unregistered motors and vehicles, stating that: "the Police are still enforcing the law on proper registration on motorbikes and vehicles" to ensure security for the people.

He said his doors were opened to all and sundry all the time and appealed to the general public to work closely with the police to reduce or eliminate crime in the region, especially, in the area of robbery.