Police arrest five students carrying sharp weapons in South Tangerang ahead of planned brawl

A heightened routine activity team (KRYD) from Battalion C Pelopor of the Metro Jaya Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) foiled a suspected street brawl and arrested five students carrying sharp weapons on Jalan WR Supratman, Rengas, Ciputat Timur, South Tangerang, in the early hours of Sunday.

Metro Jaya Police Brimob Commander Senior Commissioner Henik Maryanto explained that officers seized evidence from the scene including one machete, two sickles, two motorcycles and four mobile phones. The incident also resulted in damage to a cart belonging to a local resident.

“Personnel in the field acted quickly to anticipate potential security disturbances. All parties detained along with the evidence have been handed over to the Ciputat Timur Police for further examination,” he said in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday.

Henik stressed that the presence of personnel in the field is an active preventive measure to curb street crime and inter-group clashes that could disturb residents.

“Personnel must be able to read potential vulnerabilities and act quickly when they find indications of security disturbances. Every finding that points to a criminal offence will be followed up according to procedure together with the territorial ranks,” he said.

Separately, Metro Jaya Police Head of Public Relations Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto urged parents to tighten supervision of their children’s activities, especially at night and into the early hours.

“We invite parents, schools and the community to work together to keep children from being involved in brawls or dangerous activities. Do not carry sharp weapons and do not be easily provoked by calls to violence,” said Budi.

He added that members of the public who are aware of potential public order disturbances in their neighbourhood are expected to report them immediately to the police through the toll-free service 110 so that they can be followed up as quickly as possible.