The new Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ransford M. Ninson has called on the media to be law abiding, security conscious, and help the police with information on criminals to improve the level of security in the region. He gave the assurance that police officers in the region will reciprocate the gesture with the exhibition of professionalism and good conduct. DCOP Ninson was speaking in his maiden interaction with the press in Sekondi on Wednesday. He said his office was available to address any acts that go against the tenets of the police profession, adding that the duties of the Police Service cannot be accomplished without the support of a vibrant media. According to him, the oil and gas find in the region is expected to introduce security challenges. The socio-economic transformation, he said, is expected to saturate the region with crimes such as land and property fraud, robbery, human trafficking, drug dealings, kidnapping and piracy among others. The Regional Commander said the total number of criminal cases reported in the first quarter of this year ending March 2011 in the Region were 4,843 as against 4,859 in 2010. Murder recorded 77 percent increase, robbery 300, rape 33, and possessing narcotic drugs 163. in Defilement and fraud cases however, reduced by 1.5 and 38 percent respectively. He said motor accident cases reported ending March 2011, is 209 against 232 the same period in 2010, a decrease of 23 cases. The number of persons killed ending March 2011 is 67 as against 50 the same period in 2010. Persons injured ending March 2011 is 350 as against 334 the same period in 2010, recording an increase of 16 injuries. The number of vehicles involved in the accidents ending March 2011 are 291 as against 329 the same period ending March 2010, with a decrease of 38 vehicles. DCOP Ninson explained that whilst there is an increase in deaths and injuries sustained comparing the first quarters of 2010 and 2011, the total accidents recorded and the vehicles involved in the accidents within the same periods decreased. He said the Regional Police Command has therefore increased the number of personnel on the roads with radar guns and breathalyzers to check over speeding, drink driving and accidents mainly attributed to human errors. Mr. Ninson noted that the Ghana Police Service has set up the Marine Unit with stations to be established along the coasts of the region to handle offences contained in the Fisheries Act 2002 (ACT 625) and the Fisheries Regulations 2011 (L.I. 1968) as well as Piracy cases and other crimes emanating from the oil and gas industry. Story: Joe Bright Nyarko/Aseda FM (Takoradi)