In a bid to intensify the fight against increasing incidence of crimes in the country, a new Crime Prevention Unit (CPU), manned by the newest recruits in the police force, has been set up.

This was announced this week by the Commissioner of Police Andre Quilindo, who said the setting up of the CPU was part of reforms being carried out to revamp and improve the image of the police force.

Its main responsibility is to intensify police patrol to detect and prevent crime.

The Unit's central command is based at the Police Station in Victoria, but is in operation in all districts on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. 

Commissioner Quilindo said the police force would be receiving a new fleet of vehicles soon to be put at the disposal of the Unit's officers.

The police, he said, were focusing mainly on the new blood in the force as part of efforts to inculcate in its junior officers good values so that they could in turn deliver a professional service and perform efficiently and with commitment. 

The recruits which are responsible of the CPU graduated from the Seychelles Police Academy last July.

Commissioner Quilindo has also launched an appeal for more young people to take up a career in the police force. 

Dispelling the current misconception prevailing among senior police officers, Commissioner Quilindo warned that reforms did not merely meant new resources, more manpower and more money.

"Reforms do not mean that suddenly we will all be well off," the commissioner said. "Senior members of the force have to understand that a change in their laissez-faire and irresponsible attitude is required if the police force is to make any progress at all."

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