Keep a lookout for homes of those on holiday says police chief

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KUANTAN: It is alright to be nosey neighbours especially during the holiday season as the neighbourly help can actually help curb crimes in the neighbourhood.

State police chief Datuk Sharifuddin Abd Ghani said it was a good thing as if neighbours suspected something amiss, they could always inform the police.

“It is the holidays now and we will have neighbours who will be away for several days.

“Other neighbours can help check out homes whose residents are awayand if there is something amiss, they can call the police immediately,” he said after presenting goodies to visitors at a shopping mall here recently.

Merry X’mas: Sharifuddin giving away the goodies bags to visitors at the East Coast Mall in Kuantan in conjunction with Christmas.

Sharifuddin added that the police needed cooperation from the public during the holidays as homes with residents who were away for a period of time would be a ‘heaven’for thieves.

He assured that the police would act as soon as they receivedinformation about any suspicious activities.

“At the same time, the police will carry on with its patrols,” he said.

He also reminded house owners that they had to do their part as well by keeping valuables in safe and secured places.

They should also inform neighbours if they would be going on long vacations, he added.

Sharifuddin said there had been cases when neighbours assumed that the home tenants had moved out with new people moving in when actually the premise was used for to carry out illegal activities.

”The most common crimes are break-ins and the public must be cautious as many would be spending long holidays away from home”, he added.

Sharifuddin said between Dec 18 and 24 last year, the police recorded 94 break-ins and 90 more were reported between Dec 26 until Jan 1 this year.He advised those whowould be going away for longer holidays to inform the police and leave their details and contactnumbers.