Arms searches to be stepped up

SEMARANG: A top police officers here promised on Friday to intensify weapons searches in a number of crime-prone areas in Central Java province following a recent spate of armed robberies there.

Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi, the chief of the Central Java Police, said that such crimes had to be stopped as the raiders had little respect for human life. "They have to be brought to book at all costs," said Didi.

The latest armed robberies occurred in Solo and Kudus on April 12 and 16 respectively. The armed bank robbery in Solo claimed the life of a police officer, with two other officers being severely injured after being stabbed by the raiders. -- JP