As a move to encourage residents to actively take part in combating robberies, Ho Chi Minh City police have suggested the city authorities give a bonus of VND5 million (US$240) to anyone who seizes a robber.

>> HCMC considers measures to combat street robberies >> Street robberies rise dramatically in HCMC>> Woman’s arm chopped off by thieves>> Three men commit 5 robberies in 5 minutes>> HCMC aims to protect tourists from robberies Major General Phan Anh Minh, deputy director of the city police, made the statement in the Q-A session of the HCMC People’s Council yesterday. “Last month, the number of criminal cases, especially robberies and thefts, has increased slightly from October. But the most worrying thing is the ferociousness and daredevilry of recent robberies,” Minh said. He cited one case in which a 28-year-old robber stabbed a 22-year-old victim many times to death and then injured a police captain after robbing a laptop from the victim in Tan Binh District on September 17. Another striking case also happened on November 26, when a 28-year-old female had her right arm nearly chopped off by a gang of four robbers who attempted to rob her SH scooter while she was driving across the Phu My Bridge in district 2. “Residents are being haunted by such terrible robbery cases,” Minh said. In order to encourage everybody to participate in fighting crimes, the city police will call on tourism companies to contribute to a fund that will be used to reward the VND5 million to anyone who successfully seizes a robber, the official said,” Minh said. The city police will submit to the city People’s Committee a plan to mobilize capitals for the Fund for Crime Prevention and Control, he said. Minh said he hoped to initiate a movement to combat robberies by applying a practical form of encouragement. “Such a bonus will help build up a force that support police in fighting crimes.” Of the 150 criminals arrested recently, 49 percent was jobless; the rest had unstable jobs; and 46 percent of them were involved in drug abuse, Minh said. The city police have built a plan to mobilize forces to crack down on crimes, he said. Accordingly, police will strengthen patrols and traps, tighten controls in residential quarters, and strengthen inspections at hotels, rented houses and recreational facilities.