It has been suggested that the police to use Facebook, a social networking site, to solve criminal cases.

National Key Result Areas (NKRA) for crime prevention laboratory leader Abdul Aziz Md Noor said the website, which is widely used by the community, could help the authorities fight crime.

"We previously used the short-message service (SMS) through the Rakan Cop programme (to fight crime), but with this new approach we hope to solve cases faster.

"For example, by displaying photos of suspects on Facebook, the public could indirectly channel information regarding the case to the police," he said after presenting the results of the NKRA for crime prevention laboratories at the Government Tranformation Programme (GTP) Open Day held at the Sunway Convention Centre in Petaling Jaya today.

Target: Slash crime by 20 percent

Abdul Aziz said the public could also file reports and complaints on crime to police through the website.

"It is difficult for the police to control crime without the help and support of the community.

"If the public helps to report all criminal activities to the police, we believe the target to reduce crime by 20 percent by the end of 2010 is possible," he said.

At the same presentation, members of the public were urged to register as Rakan Cop members to facilitate police obtaining information quickly.

"They no longer need to go to the police station or see a police officer to give information ... this can be done through SMS now," said Abdul Aziz.

- Bernama