The crime rate in Penang from January up to the middle of August this year rose by 281 cases or about 4.7 percent compared to the corresponding period of last year, said state police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi.

However, he said the rise did not involve all categories although unarmed robbery and theft showed a significant hike.

He disclosed this when approached by reporters after the launch of the 'Ulul Albab' programme in conjunction with the Penang Police Aidilfitri Programme with the Community byFederal Police Logistics Department director Zulkifli Abdullah, in George Town ast night.

On crime involving firearms in the state, Abdul Rahim called on the people to give their trust and time to the police to resolve all the cases.

"It is a matter of time. As the Penang chief police officer, please give me the trust to take appropriate action in the cases involving firearms," he said.

In another development, Abdul Rahim said the state government had agreed to increase by another 34 close-circuit camera (CCTV) in several areas in the state by the end of the year.

He said that so far, 84 CCTV units had been installed throughout Penang with 60 units installed on the island while the other 24 units were installed on the mainland.

"We are targeting that by 2015, a total of 224 units of CCTV would be installed throughout Penang in the efforts to prevent crime," he said.

- Bernama