Number of youths arrested for various crimes in Rumphi has increased, a situation Rumphi Police Station has attributed to lack of economic generating opportunities among the youths in the district.
This was disclosed during Rumphi Police Station Executive Committee (SEC) elections held on Wednesday at the Boma.
Statistics show that from January to June 2023, 499 suspects have been arrested in the district, compared to 345 recorded in the same period last year.
Out of these numbers almost 300 are the youth under the age of 30.
General Duties Officer (GDO) for Rumphi Police Station, Beatrice Magwera said there is need for coordinated efforts to curtail the rising numbers of the youth involved in crime.
She further said there is need to intensify sensitization, create a safe environment for the people of Rumphi and ensure that the youth stay away from crime.
New Station Executive Committee Chairperson, Aaron Nyirenda said as a new chairperson he will work with various stakeholders to rescue the youth from criminal activities.
“The challenge is that most youths are looking for white collar jobs which will never be available for everyone. I will use my position to educate the youth that jobs come in various forms which includes farming.
“I will engage the area development committees to reach out to these youths to find alternatives to white collar jobs which includes farming. An educated youth can be a better farmer and profit from it. In that way we will reduce crime rates among the youth,” he said.
Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwahenga said community policing teams play a very important role in ensuring that communities are protected as they alert the police on criminal activities happening in different areas.
