ASHAIMAN POLICE NAB PROSTITUTES AND SUSPECTED CRIMINALS ...(PAGE 53)

Story: Rose Hayford Darko & Anasthasia Dzovor, Tema

THE Ashaiman Police on Friday arrested 14 prostitutes and 24 suspected criminals in areas known for such activities.
The areas included the Zongo Laka, Night Market, Asensu Bar, Odasani Bar, Heavens Gate and market.
The exercise formed part of a programme to rid the areas of criminals and prostitutes as the country prepared for the Ghana 2008 tournament.
The prostitutes were between the ages of 20 and 56 while the criminals were between the ages of 18 and 37.
The Ashaiman District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Frank Awu, said five prostitutes were caught in the act and added that all the 14 prostitutes had been placed in police custody pending a decision on them but the criminals would be prosecuted after being screened.
He said the suspected criminals had in their possession dried leaves, the police believed to be Indian hemp.
He said the exercise was also to discourage people from engaging in prostitution and anti-social vices.
He said the exercise would go a long way to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Ashaiman community.
He said people perceived Ashaiman to be “the den of criminals”, which made the community unsafe for visitors and was a dent on the image of the town.
“We want to ensure that visitors who come to the country because of the tournament will not be disturbed by these unscrupulous criminals,” he said.
Mr Awu said the exercise would be extended to other areas to ensure that residents went about their lawful duties peacefully and gave the assurance that the exercise would be a regular one.
He made an appeal for the police to be provided with more patrol vehicles to enable them to embark on such exercises without any difficulty.
Mr Awu warned those who would be preparing to use Ashaiman as their operational ground to keep away.
He said the police in Ashaiman would intensify their operations to ensure the safety of the people.