Crime rates in the Arab sector are a cause for concern as Ministry of Public Security figures reveal that in 2011 Arabs were involved in 67% of the murder cases and 70% of attempted murder cases.

In efforts to fight the soaring crime rates, Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch will on Sunday present ministers with a perennial plan to improve personal and community security within the Arab sector.

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The data also revealed that Arabs were involved in 38% of aggravated assault cases as well as 36% of robbery cases and 52% of arson incidents. Nevertheless, the crime rates referring to the Arab sector have remained at a steady rate for years.

The plan which the Ministry of Public Security began to implement in recent months include civic and law enforcement efforts. Three special policing units, including detective and investigation units in Nazareth, Tayibe and the police station serving the Bedouin communities in the south were established.

Some 11 additional units will be established within the next two years. In addition, according to the plan the neighborhood watches will be reinforced and the Arab sector will be given special priority for programs like City Without Violence and the war on drugs.

Discussing the plan, Minisiter Aharonovich said that "handling crime within the Arab sector is critical to Israeli society in general and Arab society in particular as most of its members are law abiding citizens who have had enough of the violent criminal behavior of a small minority."

The minister stressed that "uncompromising efforts were made and will be made to minimize the phenomenon."

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