KIGALI - The rate of crime in the country reduced by 30 percent during the past year, with the police attributing this to the community policing programme adopted in 2008.

This was revealed by the director of community policing in the Rwanda National Police force, Chief Supt. Emmanuel Butera while explaining the strategies that have been put in place to further reduce the crime rate this year.

"Crimes last year reduced by 30 percent and most of those that reduced significantly are cases of gender based violence and violence against children,” Butera told The New Times by telephone yesterday.

Butera attributed the development to the improving working relationship that has developed between the department of community policing and residents.

"People who are directly affected by the problem have been sensitized over the past period and have cooperated in our daily operations,” Butera said.

He added: "The five man community policing teams from every village (umudugudu) have helped in environment scanning that works with the Community Policing Committee (CPC) to scrutinize the activities that take place in the area.”

Meanwhile at least 21 drivers were arrested for drunk driving on New Year’s eve by traffic officers on high alert to reduce possible accidents as a result of the celebrations.

"We arrested these people in only one day and this should serve as a warning that drunken driving is a major cause of death through accidents which will not be tolerated,” Supt. Robert Niyonshuti, the commander of traffic police said.

He however dismissed allegations that the scarcity of vehicles on New Year’s eve was due to the arrest of drivers many of whom were kept in custody until day break.

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