Cops now go after negligent bikers

SIBU: As vehicle thefts remain the prime concern in the fight against crime, the police here are coming down on vehicle owners apart from the thieves and syndicates.



When contacted yesterday, Sibu acting police chief Supt Zamani Hamdan said they would now slap motorcycle owners with a summons each if they left their keys on their machines in the parking lots. He said the police could not tolerate such negligence anymore.

“We have reminded the owners time after time. We have to act tough because negligence has been a worrying factor for escalating crimes.”

Zamani said there had been numerous such cases when the owners left their keys on the machine while they left for an errand.

“Such act of negligence is inviting the thieves.”

The acting police chief said he had instructed his men to be on the lookout, and when they had found one such machine with the key on, they would take it back for safe keeping.

“When the owners claim their machines, we shall issue them a summons each, and the owners will have to pay a compound fee of up to RM50.”

Zamani has his reasons to be worried.

“On average, we still record up to three such thefts daily.”

He said after they had crushed the three gangs involved in vehicle thefts, property crime cases had dropped.

“But, the thieves are back again.”

He said their investigation showed motorcycles were also being stolen when owners parked them in dark and isolated spots.

“We are moving into these areas,” he said, adding that the police had increased their patrols.

“We are fully concentrating on property crimes because other crimes, notably the major crimes, have dropped.”

Borneo Post 17/03/2010