CP: Combatting prostitution and gang crime key priorities

Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau, who was appointed to the top police job last week, has named countering prostitution rings run out of spas and gang-related crimes as key priorities.

In his first press conference on Sunday, Shujau said the police are already running operations to crackdown on prostitution rings.

“We are already running a special operation to stop such indecent crimes run under the guise of spas in the greater Male. And, you will see us identify and take action against the people who profit from this,” he said.

Shujau noted that gang-related crime is something the police have always focused on, but hasn’t successfully tackled.

He said that the police will focus on producing results the next five years, and will work to reduce the number of youths who get involved in gangs.

“We know that children under the age of 18 are getting recruited for this. Therefore, this time, in addition to enforcing measures targeting these groups, we are also engaged in discussions with the Department of Juvenile Justice to take these children and rehabilitate them,” he said.

Shujau promised to do everything necessary to reach the leaders of gangs.

Shujau also said the police would do more to combat scams and cybercrimes, and to decentralize the police force and work more closely with local communities.