Accra, June 29, GNA - Car snatching is on the increase in Accra despite public education and arrests of culprits, the Accra Regional Police Command cautioned on Wednesday.

In a statement signed in Accra by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Zenge Cyprian, the Regional Police Command said while the last quarter of last year recorded 13 cases, the number increased to 43 in the first quarter of this year.

It said the trend was of concern to the police as it appeared drivers were not paying attention to the security education that police were giving.

The police reiterated that all drivers and car owners should be careful as they plied their trade, and that they should be careful when passengers hired their cars in the night to places they did not know, just because of fantastic fares.

"They should avoid picking extra passengers on the way on the instructions of those who hire their cars. It is important to drive to the nearest police station for assistance if they suspect any passenger or group of persons who have hired their services."

The Police said the following telephone numbers were still active: 030 2 773906; 030 2 773695; 024 4331 935 and MTN short code 18555 or 919.