Every day, we can find at least one crime news that was
reported in the newspaper, be it violent or not, which talk about residential
break-in, snatching thieves or worst, murder cases. However, can you imagine
there was still many crime case that was not reported in the news after all
because it is already ‘common’ among the people?
The Royal Malaysian Police had revealed that crime rate
in Malaysia had drop from 147,062 cases in 2013 to 128,544 in 2014, a total
drop of 18,518 cases. It was also noted that the rate of violent crimes has
dropped by 13.4% (3,950 cases) and property crimes has declined by 12.4%
(14,568 cases). However, according to the authorities, the overall crime rate
is designated as ‘Medium’ for Malaysia; however, the crime rate is believed to
be higher in Kuala Lumpur than anywhere else in Malaysia. The types of crime
that can be found in Malaysia is divided into two categories – violent crime
and property crime. Either way, it still bring sense of fear and uncertainty to
the people.
Caption: Types of crime that is commonly found in Malaysia.
Most of
the criminal activities that happen among the society are limited to non-violent
crimes of opportunity. Petty theft, particularly purse snatching and
pickpocketing, and residential burglaries are the most common crimes committed
against foreigners. Other types of non-violent criminal activity include credit
card fraud and automobile theft are also be seen as the common crime that
happened in the society.
Caption: Types of crime case statistic according to state.
In most purse snatching and robbery incidents, it seems to normally involve at least two thieves on a motorcycle speeding up from behind a targeted victim, and the one who sat on the back will then snatches a purse, handbag, or hand phone of the victim. Thieves have also conducted snatch thefts while leaning out of the passenger side of moving vehicles. Increasingly, large groups of robbers have physically confronted victims. These types of thefts can occur at all hours and often in front of large groups of witnesses, even in upscale neighborhoods frequented by expatriates. Women walking by themselves or with small children are the most common targets, but men walking or jogging alone have also been targeted by the thieves. Victims have been injured and even killed after falling and being dragged by thieves in cars or on motorcycles.
Other than purse snatching and robbery, residential break-ins do occur and are becoming more frequent in single family homes; these break-ins generally do not result in confrontations or injuries to the occupants. While uncommon, some burglars have entered even when the occupants were home, then tied the residents up, and threatened them with weapons. However, gated apartment complexes with 24-hour guards have a much lower burglary rate than other residential units, and apartments in general are burglarized less often than stand-alone residences.
We all are
indeed vulnerable under the threat of crime, neither male nor female, however,
we should not be fear for crime but we should instead overcome the fear for
crime so that we could protect ourselves and each other even better. How can we
overcome the fear for crime? Stay tuned.
by:
Loh Yi Wen M3RPR