Police increase presence in Bali

DENPASAR, Bali: Police have tightened their operations this month in a bid to curb mounting crime on the holiday-resort island, resulting in four suspected thieves being shot while attempting to steal a motorcycle in the first two weeks of May.

Bali Police spokesman Lt. Col. Y. Suyatmo said here on Friday that Bali police chief Brig. Gen. I Wayan Ardjana has given permission to policemen to use force if alleged culprits resist arrest.

He pointed out that between May 5 to 15 police solved 18 motorcycle theft cases and that the four that were shot tried to resist arrest.

"We had to shoot them in the leg because all of them tried to resist the officers," he said.

The four were allegedly caught red-handed attempting to steal motorcycles.

"The order was apparently given by the police chief because he was fed up with the number of crimes between January and April, 286 cases of vehicle theft," Suyatmo said. (zen/01)