Accra, June 22, GNA - Chief Superintendent (C/Supt) David Eklu, Madi na District Police Commander, on Monday hailed community engagement as an alternative crime combat strategy.

He said although the reactive type of policing had stood the test o f time, proactive approach to fight crime is needed in the face of the teething problems facing the Ghana Police Service. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview, the District Commander said the police is facilitating active community partnership in

the area, which spans Madina township, Agbogba, Ablajei, Ashongman Villag e and part of Haatso, in identifying peculiar crime problems with the suppo rt of community leaders and the youth.

"The police is analysing crime trends in the district, the type of crimes being committed and identifying stakeholders who can help in effor ts to reverse the crime," he said. C/Supt Eklu said the District Police Command constantly updates the local communities about the crime trend and the challenges facing the pol ice in fighting the phenomenon.

He said through such engagements, the police is able to get at first

hand public perception about the service and how to meet their expectatio ns. "We are also able to tell people about what we have done about repor ted crime cases in order to win public confidence." C/Supt Eklu said Madina as a heavily populated and fast growing area is confronted with a lot of challenges such as fraud, theft and armed robber y. He said due to a number of challenges including logistics and manpow er, police visibility is quiet low in the country.