The Rwanda National Police, yesterday, commenced its community outreach campaign as part of its celebrations to mark the 12th anniversary, which will fall on June 12.The activities, to be conducted in five districts, were launched in Nyamasheke District, with officials calling on the public to join the campaign to create a crime free country.

The Minister of Internal Security, Sheikh Fazil Musa Harelimana, challenged the public to play a key role in the fight against  drug abuse, among other social vices.

"Drug abuse related crimes are the platform to majority of other crimes committed, such as murder, where children kill their parents or vice versa, not forgetting prostitution among the youth,” Harelimana noted.

He urged them to join hands in fighting drugs such as marijuana and illicit brew, which have topped the crime list over the past few years.The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana said the force has embarked on human security to end poverty and that "crime prevention is a key element in the force’s long term strategy.”

The launch of the campaign, dubbed Police Week, started with community work (Umuganda) where government, police and army joined local residents to prepare a site where houses for the vulnerable groups will be built.

About 100 people were also given health insurance cards while 100 others got mosquito nets as the force’s support to vulnerable people.

One person was also given a cow, under the one-cow per poor family programme.

Police says it intends to give out health insurance covers, mosquito nets and cows to poor people during the campaign which will end on June 16 – the day when Rwanda National Police will mark its 12th anniversary.

Similar events will be conducted Gatsibo, Nyanza, Kicukiro and Burera districts.