Police in Blantyre on Thursday held a solidarity march aimed at restoring trust and improving relationship with residents.
The parade, which started at Blantyre Police Station to Blantyre central business district, was patronised by city council officials, businesspeople, vendors and other stakeholders.
Speaking after the march, South West Police Region Commissioner Richard Luhanga said the parade followed a number of meetings with different stakeholders.
He said: “This shows that there is commitment to work together and it will help to end crime in the city during evening hours.
“Blantyre Police Station has put in place strategies in crime prone-areas to ensure police visibility.”
Luhanga warned residents against walking alone at night, saying criminals have recently attacked such people.
“We, therefore, hope the parade will promote unity and partnership between communities and police,” he said.
Traditional Authority Somba said the city can only develop if there is security and good relationship between police and residents.
“We urge police to continue engaging residents so that law and order should prevail,” he said.
In random interviews, marchers urged police to increase checkpoints on roads and intensify patrols in townships.
Mbayani Township resident Alinafe Chitwanga, who joined the march, also asked police to respond quickly at night when people call for help.
“Sometimes officers delay to arrive at a scene of crime. I urge them to address this issue,” she said.
Businessperson Emmanuel Chisoni blamed street children for the rise in crime in the city. Recently, there have been a series of robberies and murder in the city, driving fear in residents.
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