GEORGE TOWN, Feb 26 — A total of 209 crime cases were recorded in Penang from January 1 till yesterday, which is a decline of 12.3 per cent from the same period last year, said state police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi.

He said four districts — Seberang Perai Utara (SPU), Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT), Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) and Barat Daya — recorded a drop in the crime index while Timur Laut recorded an increase.

“Only Timur Laut recorded a slight increase of 27 cases and the police will continue to be committed to reduce the crime rate and we hope members of the public can help the police to channel information,” he told reporters after attending a meeting with Ops Byan police officers and personnel at the Penang contingent headquarters here today.

Ops Bayan was set up in September 2010 to assist in efforts to prevent and combat criminal activities with the involvement of officers and personnel from the General Operations Force (GOF).

Up till last year 179 suspects, including 154 men and 25 women were arrested by the Ops Bayan team. — Bernama