Pickpocketing is amongst the most common practices, especially during the festive period.

As many jostle around the markets and shopping centre in search of good turnover during the preparation for the Christmas and New Year feasts, bandits are also in search of new strategies.

There are frequent reports of women’s hand bags being cut off and repeated assaults in taxis during the month of December.

As if these practices are not limited to overcrowded urban centres, six young suspects armed with locally fabricated guns were apprehended on 5thDecember in Takijah village in Kumbo of the Northwest Region after attacking some cattle traders and taking away cell phones and a huge sum of money.

Still in Kumbo, a child was kidnaped and a ransom of more than 1 million CFAF was asked from her parents who according to reports could not afford even a hundred thousand CFAF.

Faced with the upsurge of these crimes the General Delegation of National Security has been revising strategies to contain the crime wave during this period.

Many control checks have been put in place especially in neighbourhoods where crimes are frequently reported.

Civil servants and other workers are being put on the alert while passengers are being cautioned to remain vigilant while in vehicles.