Criminologist and Acting Dean of the Law Faculty of the Central University College (CUC), Prof. Ken Agyemang Attafuah says measures being applied by the police should ordinarily help in curbing crime in the Tema metropolis.

The police in Tema have assured of increased patrols day and night to help ensure the safety of residents in the metropolis following incessant crime and armed robbery activities in the area over the past few weeks.

Speaking to Joy News, Thursday, Prof. Agyemang Attafuah noted that if the increasing crime rate currently being experienced in the Tema metropolis is a temporal situation as espoused in certain quarters, then it is possible for the police to control it.

The Acting Dean of the Central University College Law Faculty was reacting to whether or not measures put in place by the police in the Tema metropolis in the face of increasing spate of crime could abate the unfortunate crime situation that has claimed lives and injured several others. 

According to him, as a result of the Port situated at Tema, it has made the area prone to criminal activities and in recent times, an increased use of motor bikes has made the situation even more precarious.

The increased patrols followed reported cases of armed robbery attacks on residents who feel insecure in the area.

Last week Wednesday, a businessman was shot dead at Tema Community Four by unidentified men thought to be robbers. On the same day, two people, a welder and a mechanic, were attacked at gun point and robbed of their cell phones.

There are reports that there was another robbery attack in the same neighbourhood around Apple Hotel, in which one person was shot in the leg and others injured.

Meanwhile, residents of Tema Central are calling for a ban on the riding of motorbikes in the metropolis during the night, a measure they claim will curb the increasing spate of armed robbery and killings in the area.

Additionally, the residents attributed unemployment and broken homes as contributory factors to the increasing spate of robbery cases.

The Tema Mayor and head of the Metropolitan Security Council, Isaac Ashai Odamtten described the insecurity situation in Tema as worrying but assured that the security personnel are up to task.

He said the metropolitan assembly is collaborating with the police in ensuring that residents are secured.

Mr. Odamtten also backed residents on the request for motor bikes riding to be banned in the area, adding that the suggestion will be sent to the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) by tomorrow and a decision will be made by next week.

The Tema Mayor further assured that squatters will be evicted in the area to prevent the high crime rate in the metropolis.