LAHORE, Dec 8: The provincial police chief claims the crime rate has decreased considerably in the province in 2012 as compared to the previous year due to successful strategy, aggressive policing and untiring efforts of policemen.

He said at least 6,666 murder cases were reported in 2011 across the province, which have decreased to 5,367 cases during 2012.

Up to 215 incidents of kidnapping for ransom were reported last year but only 134 incidents have occurred this year. The robbery-cum-murder incidents decreased from 324 to 209 cases, dacoities dropped from 3,771 to 2,604, theft from 20,790 to 15,507, and gang-rape cases reduced from 217 to 186.

IG Habibur Rehman expressed these views while addressing a ceremony held at the CPO here on Saturday to award cash and certificates among police officers/officials of Gujranwala and Gujrat districts, who successfully foiled terror assaults.

Gujranwala RPO Muhammad Amin Wains, Gujranwala CPO Abdul Razzaq Cheema, Gujrat DPO Basharat Mahmood and other senior police officers were also present.

Amin Wains said the Gujrat police had recovered 87 videos and 241 audio cassettes from the possession of arrested terrorists. The seized material reveals terrible disclosures about the plans and strategy of terrorists.

The IG awarded cash prizes worth Rs525,000 among seven officers/officials of the Gujranwala district and Rs510,000 among 14 officers/officials of the Gujrat district police.

Also, Rs100,000 was given each to Gujranwala CPO Abdul Razzaq Cheema and Gujrat DPO Basharat Mahmood for their outstanding performance.

TRANSFER: The IG has transferred and posted three police officers.

According to a notification, Gujranwala Regional Investigation Branch SP Liaquat Ali Malik has been transferred and posted Gujranwala SP City division vice Muhammad Haroon Joyia who has been transferred and posted Rawalpindi SP Potohar.

Rawalpindi SP Potohar Haseeb Husain Shah has been transferred and posted Rawalpindi VVIP Security SP.