Deputy Head of Media and Public Relations, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Samuel Saio Conteh (Media 2) has on Wednesday 25th November 2020 disclosed that vehicular theft is on the increase in Freetown. Media 2 made this disclosure in an interview with Awoko newspaper at the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) headquarters on George Street, Freetown.
He attributed the “slight increase” in vehicle theft to the festive season which is drawing nearer. “It is a usual routine that during the festive season, car theft and other sort of theft cases will increase.”
Conteh was not helpful with statistics on car theft, but maintained there being an increase in car theft matters reported to the SLP. He disclosed that some car owners are in the habit of conniving with vehicle thieves who will stop at nothing but pose around car centres “and pretend as if they are doing vehicle business”.
He revealed that a Rav4’s key can open any other Rav4 vehicle, noting that vehicle owners especially those with Rav4s should be careful where they park their vehicles.
He warned that those who wish to purchase vehicles should ensure that they demand for all the relevant documents before paying, adding that potential vehicle buyers should also demand for the phone number of the individual who owns the car or car centre.
It is no doubt that vehicle theft cases are often reported to the police, and Awoko newspaper has reported a handful of them. A case in point is of the principal of the Freetown Secondary School for Girls (FSSG), who lost her vehicle to motor theft shortly after she parked it outside a church she was attending Sunday service.
Also, a Guinean diplomat’s vehicle was carted away by vehicle thieves, but was lucky that the police retrieved it.
ASP Conteh however remained hopeful that the menace of vehicle theft will be addressed, as the SLP will effectively coordinate with the Local Police Partnership Board (LPPB) to track down stolen vehicles, which are sometimes hidden in communities. He furthered that it has come to the SLP’s attention that some vehicle thieves have fake garages where they dismantle vehicles, noting that the SLP will soon engage in effective monitoring.
By Sulaiman Karim Sesay and Sahr Eric George