Night muggers impose curfew on Ho Polytechnic neighbourhood

Ho, April 18, GNA - Night muggers and burglars have virtually imposed a curfew on Wortoe, a fast growing community near the Ho Polytechnic.

Residents do not have the pleasure of night activities away from home while those whose work schedules or emergencies take them to town in the night have to fall on people considered brave to escort them back home.

Besides snatching bags, mobile phones and other handy valuables from victims, robbers in many instances attempted raping their female victims.

Mr Stephen Robert Kwawu, an ex-police officer who is the community leader, told the Ghana News Agency that there had been about 20 break-ins and several muggings or attempted muggings within the last month.

He said in the last two reported cases, the crooks attacked and threw their female victims on the ground and proceeded to tear their clothes but fled on hearing approaching voices. Mr Kwawu said robbers normally hide among some teak trees in the area and rally to attack passers-by with knives and other offensive weapons.

Regarding break-ins Mr Kwawu said the modus operandi of the robbers is confusing as many victims woke up the next morning to find they had been burgled.

He said he suspected that the crooks were using sleep-inducing chemicals to put their victims into deep sleep before breaking into their houses.

Mr Kwawu said in certain cases people who kept dogs woke up to see them (dogs) dead and their houses broken into. Mr Kwawu said reports had been made to the police but so far no arrest had been made and that the police suggested that community members helped with accommodation for a police post in the area. The area is a developing one and has no streetlights.