KOTA KINABALU: Crime rate in Sabah has been reduced by nine per cent this year, said Sabah Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Ab Razak Ab Ghani yesterday.Ab Razak said the nine per cent drop from 9,048 cases last year was largely due to public awareness and cooperation.

“The main factor which helped reduce crime rate was the awareness of the people to be free from criminal activities in their respective areas.

“We see the people of Sabah cooperating and working together with the police to rid their areas of crime,” he said at the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation’s (MCPF) state-level awards for Excellent Police stations.

During the ceremony, Penampang and Tanjung Aru police stations were presented awards for their efforts to reduce crime rates in their respective areas.

According to MCPF chairman Datuk Henry Chin, the biennial awards was to recognise the efforts of police in providing excellent, efficient and friendly services to the people. — Bernama