Compared to 2020, however, the state saw a 2,519 decline in crime rates last year

by AZALEA AZUAR / pic by TMR FILE

THERE were 17,992 violent and property crimes between 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Selangor Young Generation, Sports and Human Capital Development Exco Mohd Khairuddin Othman said according to the Selangor police statistics, from the total, 4,633 were violent crimes while 13,359 were property crimes.

The state’s Welfare Department also revealed that 1,910 child abuse cases were recorded between March 2020 and March 2021 where 686 were physical, 606 sexual, 63 emotional and 555 neglect abuses.

Meanwhile, the Selangor Counselling Centre (PKS) reported an increase in the demand for counselling sessions throughout the Covid-19 pandemic period.

“Among the complaints received by PKS were domestic issues between husbands, wives and children, as well as psychopathology which are issues related to mental health and abnormal psychology,” Mohd Khairuddin said at the Selangor State Assembly yesterday.

The number of PKS’ clients increased from 86 in 2019 to 251 in 2020 but dropped to 214 in 2021.

To address these issues, the Kita Selangor Package Programme, a career carnival programme, free counselling, psychological services and rehabilitation centres were launched, to which the state government had distributed funds worth RM305,000 between 2020 and 2021.

Meanwhile, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department has conducted a programme on the practices and teachings of Prophet Muhammad and a briefing on Syariah Criminal Law while the Selangor Islamic Religious Council held a Social Severity Prevention Programme for adolescents.

“The programme was aimed to motivate adolescents and incorporate religious elements into their lives while the ‘Bual Bicara: Wira Muda Bebas Dadah’ online webinar highlights the potential of each individual.

“It focuses on creative and innovative elements,” said the Paya Jaras MP.

The Selangor Police Headquarters under the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department had collaborated with communities and organisations like the Police Cadet Corps and the Student Volunteer Corps in community policing.

“The effectiveness of these initiatives can be seen through a declining trend of crime statistics between 2020 and 2021 by 14.61%,” said Mohd Khairuddin.

Compared to 2020, Selangor saw a 2,519 decline in crime rates last year.