Watch committees shouldn't take law into own hands

Nyinahin (Ashanti Region) -- Samuel Berko, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in-charge of Nyinahin in the Atwima District of Ashanti, has advised neighbourhood watch committees not to take the law into their own hands when they arrest criminals.

He asked them to hand over any criminal they arrest to the police immediately since the police were mandated by law to deal with criminals in view of the fact that they had been trained to handle all cases.

ASP Berko gave the advice when he inaugurated a 70-member Nyinahin neighbourhood watch committee at Nyinahin. He said it was the responsibility of the police to prosecute criminals in court and, as such, it would be wrong for any watch committee to try criminals they arrest.

Berko also advised them not to involve themselves in chieftaincy matters adding that it did not form part of their duties. He, however, called on chiefs in the area to give maximum support to the watch committees to help clamp down on criminals, especially armed robbers in the area.

Madam Theresa Mensah, the Assemblywoman for Nyinahin, later introduced members of the unit committee in the town to Berko, who asked them to team up with their chiefs and the people to develop the town.