Official data in Bahrain shows surge in drug cases, drop in other serious crime

There has been a surge in the number of drug cases handled by Bahrain’s police, official data reveals.

The total number of narcotics offences reached 1,619 cases in 2018, compared with 1,250 in 2017 and 1,200 in 2016.

However, figures released by the Interior Ministry indicate a drop in other serious crime – including murder and human trafficking – over the same period.

Murders

There were eight murder cases in 2018, compared with 10 in 2017 and 12 in 2016.

Meanwhile, there were six cases related to human trafficking in 2018, compared with 12 each in 2017 and 2016.

The statistics are detailed in the latest edition of the Interior Ministry’s Al Amn magazine.

It says there were a total of 4,510 theft cases in 2018, down from 4,777 in 2017 – but an increase from 4.393 in 2016.

The ministry’s main operations room handled more than 83,000 cases in 2018, while its 999 hotline received more than one million calls – including 30,000 related to community service.

In its magazine, the ministry says the figures support perceptions that Bahrain is one of the world’s most secure countries, having been ranked fourth in that category in a Global Competitiveness Report compiled by the World Economic Forum.

“Bahrain also advanced to third place internationally for tackling organised crime and fifth for its meritorious police service,” stated the Al Amn report.

Lawyer Abdulrahman Ghunaim said Bahrain was making strides despite foreign interference designed to undermine stability.

“We have suffered from being targeted by some neighbouring and regional countries, who have interfered in Bahrain’s affairs to destabilise national security,” he said.

“Bahrain has managed to overcome these difficulties without losing control over security.”

Meanwhile, Shura Council member Bassam Al Binmohammed said Bahrain had benefited from policies that aimed to improve human rights.

“The Interior Ministry has improved its performance to include the highest standards of human rights, followed globally, and expanded the concept of security to include everything related to the security of the community,” said Mr Al Binmohammed.

Other statistics documented in the report include 2,738 cases handled by the Coast Guard, including rescuing and assisting 1,229 individuals and 467 boats in 2018.

Meanwhile, Civil Defence handled 6,500 cases and the anti-corruption hotline dealt with 4,064 cases that year.

sandy@gdn.com.bh

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