The police will be proposing to the federal government designating specific non-accessible to motorcycles zones in cities in an effort to combat crime.

In an interview with Astro Awani yesterday, inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar said that this was among several "drastic" measures proposed to tackle the problem.

"We all know that of the street crimes, 90 percent of them are caused by criminals on motorcycles.

"Maybe this strategy can be seen as a little drastic... but if big cities in other countries can do this, why can't we?

NONE "It will make for a safer society, so that people can continue their activities without the disturbance of criminals on motorcycles," Khalid ( left ) said.

He added that these areas will be dubbed as "safe zones".

He noted that another proposal was for making number plates controlled items, which is not under the purview of the Road Transport Department.

Khalid, recently appointed to his new post, revealed that his three areas of concern for now are - curbing unlawful assemblies, crime prevention and the integrity of the police force.

"One of the things I am trying is to bring in a specialised field in the form of a crime prevention department.

"It's always better if we prevent the crime than to let it happen," he stressed.

He said this department will work closely with interested parties and go beyond public relations and awareness campaigns to work out strategies to tackle all types of criminal threat.